#* geo / visage

[arty-cakes]

am i just blorbo brainpilled to hell or does zote technically haunt the narrative if you leave him to die because of the glaring 'neglect' achievement you earn and how the pale beings did the same things to ghost and the vessels and therefore ghost can never be the same once it consciously decides to do that

[highfears]

━ 𝐆𝐄𝐎 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐀 moodboard two

day two of the twelve days of moodboards - featuring @bitcme

[karmicbound]

___________ MENOGIAS, also known as General Kapisas, was an adeptus and one of the five foremost Yakshas.

[yuelun]

Tag drop #2: Character things and dynamics (more will be added).

[crystalflygeo]

Heat haze ft Morax + fem!bunny adeptus!reader

cw/tags: heat/mating cycles, marathon sex, overstimulation, dirty talk, breeding kink, praise kink, creampie, sex toy, improper use of geo (lmao), Morax has a dragon penis, pet names, fucked stupid, reader calls Morax "My Lord" and Morax calls her "my child", power play??

notes: Pure self-indulgent filth <3 I love the concept of heats in general and though on applying that to adepti, then I remembered it's bunny year so why not... apparently there is a bunny in chinese mythology called the "Jade Rabbit" who serves the Moon Goddess soooo. Anyway. Breeding kink goes brrrrrr.

“M-my lord... I’m sorry I’m ah-” You gulp and try to breathe through your mouth, fingers clenching and unclenching trying to regain some semblance of stability. “I’m not feeling very… well”

Shameful. Lord Morax came to see you, probably talk about important matters regarding this year’s crops and yet-

“Is this your first heat alone?”

Your eyes widen and your cheeks burn, on instinct you look up panicked as your long ears stiffen in shock but just as quickly you avert your gaze, unable to look at him in the face at the revelation, and to avoid staring at his regal visage, fearful of your own reactions if you were to do so.

Oh he knows. He knows. Of course he knows. As much as you tried to suppress it your scent is probably dripping with want, especially when your thoughts were spiraling out of control mere minutes ago. Being an adeptus in heat is hard enough, but as a Jade Rabbit… it was especially hard on you.

You blink heavily, dumbly, your brain can’t keep up with all the emotions right now. You feel lightheaded but still manage to force out an answer. “N-No… no, I’m… used to it.”

Morax tilts his head and the light catches on his majestic antlers making them glow, and you find it impossible not to look “Of course.” He nods, still keeping immaculate composure. “But haven’t you found a mate yet?”

A mate. Your rabbit ears droop. Ever since you vowed to serve Lord Morax you never had time for such things, with the on-going war and protecting the humans, even as a non-combatant adeptus your duties were many. Agricultural care and development, medical support, logistics… you never had it in you to find a mate. You were devoted to your contract, and, to Lord Morax himself.

“I’m… I haven’t found the r-right one yet…” You mumble, hugging yourself and rubbing at your arm nervously in an attempt to mimic something.

“Oh my child, I’m sorry.” Morax approaches you and tentatively cups your cheek, fingers barely caressing your jaw, the touch is fleeting yet electric.

His hand is warm.

You unconsciously lean into the touch.

And he smells so good, so good.

“I could assist you, if you would allow it.”

You immediately flinch back at the words.

“W-what?!”

Morax simply blinks at you and crosses his arms, putting some distance between you two again. “I apologize if my advances are unwelcome.”

“No my lord it’s n-not that.” You can’t help but stare at his strong biceps, blackened skin accented by fine gold linings…

You try to control your breathing and think! Rationally!!

But still, you’re curious. What would it be like? To feel your God’s scent, your God’s touch, your God’s co-

You quickly shake your head. No, no! That’s indecent, scandalous! You’re not worthy, that’s…

“It’s okay, my child.”

The warm touch is back, hands placed at your shoulders, grounding you, stabilizing you. A shiver runs down your spine yet it doesn’t freeze you on the spot, rather it feels…

Tender.

You stare up at him and this time hold your gaze. He’s handsome and his eyes are the purest brightest molten gold you've ever seen, the bright diamond pupils mesmerizing.

You whine and rub your thighs together on instinct.

“My Lord… p-please…”

-----------------------------------------------------------

“Ha-aahh… f-faster, please my Lord please- Ah-! Faster!”

You’re reduced to a babbling, moaning, drooling mess as you lay on golden silk sheets. Head down ass up, your arms have long since given up supporting you and your thighs tremble as Morax rams into your dripping wet pussy over and over and over again.

He lets out a low chuckle “So tight…” He whispers, voice deep and raspy with sex haze, the scent of your heat spurring him on and causing his own illuminated beast features to manifest, such as his powerful tail undulating behind him. “You’re practically dripping all over the place, and yet you take me so well…” his breath stutters with another snap of his hips and all you can do is moan loudly, mind foggy with need.

“Oh…” You gasp. “Oh.”

Without pause, he’s slamming into you repeatedly, pulling you down on his perfect thick cock and fucking fast methodical thrusts into you wet hole, aiming for a certain spot that has you seeing stars once he finds it.

“Ah! Ah… Ah!” Your voice barely registers through your own lust-hazed mind. Tears prickling at the corner of your eyes from the rapid buildup in your lower abdomen. You’ve lost count of how many times you’ve already came, your juices coating your inner thighs and soiling the precious silken sheets. Not that he seems to mind. “O-Oh… Ohhhh. My Lord… M-Morax…”

You’re pretty sure your God has ruined you for anyone else. No mortal or immortal would ever be able to compare to his divine cock, deliciously thick and filling, the dragon shaft lined with small ridges that rub just right against your insides and so utterly big you swear you can feel a slight bump on your navel every time he bottoms out.

You keen and whine when his strong clawed hands pull at your hips. Seems like your legs are also giving up on you so he holds you in place instead. And you love it. His musky scent. His smooth deep voice. His unfaltering stamina.

The Prime of the Adepti. A strong and virile dragon.

And he chose to mate you.

Suddenly you feel him drape over your back, his larger frame practically caging you, pressing against you until his chest meets your sweaty back and you feel his ragged breath against your neck, scenting you and your heat pheromones before sharp fangs graze your tender skin.

You moan and your pussy clamps down on him. You are so close….

“You feel amazing.” He growls. “So good... s-so good for me.”

You buck your hips up to him, clumsily meeting his thrusts as your small fluffy tail twitches. “Nnngh!”

You feel him bite at your shoulder and the sharp jolt of pain is enough to send you spiraling into another climax, moaning high-pitched and gripping him tighter inside you even as he fucked into your slick warmth. Despite the orgasm he shows no signs of slowing down, so neither do you, as the unbearable heat continues to burn inside you, an itch you can’t quite scratch. His hands reach out for your skin, caressing your soft breasts and marveling at how beautifully they fit into his hands. He rubs circles into one of your nipples before pinching it lightly and is rewarded with another high keen and a spasm around his cock.

“P-Please… please… I need it. Please-” You pant, voice laced with desperation, your nails digging into the bedsheets.

“What do you want?” Morax asks, nosing at your neck and lapping at the reddened bite mark he branded into your skin. “Tell me what you need, little one.”

“Breed me!” You choke out “F-Fill me up Lord Morax, I need you to… fuck m-me full, pleasepleaseplease-”

And how could he deny such a sweet plea? Morax redoubles his efforts, panting with exertion and pushing harder, faster, deeper. Shrill little gasps escaping you as your mind goes blank from the pleasure.

“Hah- I’ll breed you properly… mhh… fill you up.” He pants, his pace getting sloppier, his tail trashing wildly, you feel him twitch inside you. “You’re all mine. Mine to take… to fuck, to own, to breed-”

Morax’s breath hitches and he lets out a choked groan, spilling his load inside you in thick creamy spurts as you keen and squirm under him, too fucked stupid for words. You coo happily as the heat under your skin finally abates and you feel full, so full of his seed.

His grip loosens as his hips gradually slow down, head hung low as he catches his breath, his cock occasionally twitching inside you until it eventually softens. He gently pulls out admiring the way your pussy clenches on him, the way your legs shake, weakly trying to lock him there, keep him inside you. The drag and pull of his thick cockhead over your sensitive insides making you keen and whimper from its abuse until your pliant body falls onto the sheets, whining pitifully when you feel his slick seed dribble out of your swollen pussy. You try to close your legs and weakly paw at your core.

No, no, no… it’s supposed to stay inside. Lord Morax’s precious cum-

You squeak as you feel something smooth and solid press against your pussy lips.

“Shhh my dear, shhh.” He coos at you, deep voice soothing your frazzled nerves. “This is just a little something to keep it in, to keep you full.” He pushes gently, working what you now realize was a cor lapis plug into your body. You made another whimpering noise as your lips parted for the toy he’d created for you. Red, puffy pussy folds spread open as they did for his cock, taking the tip before he worked the rest until it finally sunk in, lewdly resting against your opening, a glittering orange gemstone keeping you full. “There, nice and snug, do you like it?”

Your only answer is a little chirp, your eyes half-lidded as your body relaxes.  

“Such a good little bunny. You were so good to me my child, so good.” You smile drowsily at the praise, cooing at him as his hand pets your hair and scratches your fuzzy ear. He kisses at your shoulder and starts softly massaging your aching limbs “You were beautiful. You did so well, you took me so perfectly…”

You lean into his touch, curling up to his body, both of you still damp with sweat and other fluids. Resting for now until another wave of neediness hits you.

You both knew your heat would last at least other 4 days…

You idly wonder if by the end of the week you would be honored with carrying his offspring.

[sarahsartistportfolio]

Some MORE sagau since my last post did some numbers and its given me confidence which feels nice.😌

This is completely self indulgence. And because it is the "you" referred to here is female. Slight yandere vibes but my intention was not cult au.

Albedo is the first to notice the unusual amount of shooting stars in the sky. There's never been this many meteorites in such a short span of time. Especially in Mondstadt. As Albedo observes another cluster of stars through his telescope, he notices this time the stars aren't all a bright white but of many different colors. Purple, gold, green and blue. Albedo notes how the sky melts and bends into these different colors too. Its all so strange but fascinating to him. He keeps his eye on the horizon, takes notes, but holds onto hope none of this spills any bad news.

Its Venti who catches you falling from the sky. Of course its him. It has to be him, at least he tells himself this. Its Venti who lays your head in his lap as anxiety and confusion reflects on his face. He gently runs his fingers over your forehead, brushing your hair out of the way. Only to see the sallow cut on your head leaking glittering golden blood. His hand flinches back as he thinks "They've arrived." He delicately holds you in his arms, as his thoughts race through taking you to the seven, which he assumed is the safest option. When you open your eyes. Your brain is fuzzy and your eyes are heavy but you can still make out Venti's visage. "Venti?" Your horse and rough voice manages, but you speak his name in more so disbelief. You let this stranger hold you as your arms are far too weak to push him away. And its Venti whose heart races as he realizes hes the first person you see. The first name you ever speak in Teyvat. His grip tightens as he swears to himself to keep you safe, to watch over you until your full power returns. "You...you really smell like apples." You smile weakly at him, body leaning into his embrace, closing your eyes enjoying the warmth he radiates. "You really do smell like apples." you repeat and Venti. is. beaming.

Venti becomes your comfort in this new world you've been thrust into. You find yourself hiding behind him when you're introduced to new people, holding his hand whenever you're anxious. Venti becomes quite proud that you seek out his presence so much. When you do start to become more brave, venturing out of Mondstadt, spending more time with Zhongli, Ei and Nahida. Venti finds himself becoming uncharacteristically jealous. His grip on you is never tight but it shows through his "You'll leaving already?" and "There's no reason to travel to Liyue/Inazuma/Sumeru ect you can do that here in Mondstadt." He treasures wearing the title of your first and closest friend and doesn't want anyone to replace him. And as you sit with him in the tavern again, making sure he fulfills his promise of writing a song for you, he finds himself getting terribly distracted by your eyes. Hoping he could become more than your dearest friend.

Venti's worship is friendly, playful, almost suffocating but in a good way.

Its Zhongli who becomes your second shadow. As soon as the overexcited bard announces your arrival to the present archons his heart skips a beat. Century after century he has heard stories of your power, your beauty, your grace. And some how he has lived long enough to see you in the flesh. His heart is racing as he waits for you to enter the room. And when you do, your hand in Venti's as he cheerfully introduces you to the geo archon. Zhongli's eyes widen for just a split second before he calmly attempts to regain his composure. He bows low, elegantly, although his knees threaten to give way. "Welcome back your grace." Your presence is otherworldly, ethereal. Your eyes bleed into the ever changing colors of the sky. And while maybe for a short time in the beginning Zhongli questioned himself, why you would return in such a small weak form. But that thought quickly left him, the longer he heard the unwavering kindness in your voice and the warmth of your smile. He was convinced he saw celestia its self within you.

Any and every time you step into Liyue, Zhongli is by your side. Even when your not in his country Zhongli still makes his presence known. Ever so observant and thoughtful. Helps you learn the names of people and places. Patiently tells you stories of the past over a hot cup of tea. Ever so patient Zhongli. When you playfully, nervously, confess you're a little intimidated by him. He waits. As long as you need. For you to initiate conversation, for you to stand closer to him, for you hold his arm as you take a walk through the city. And even as you continue to favor that childish drunken bard, Zhongli knows you would choose him. Maybe not today, but he will keep trying. Patiently demonstrating the upmost consideration so when the time comes for you to choose a spouse you will choose him. Zhongli convinces himself that out of the seven its him who deserves to be by your side. The patiently, gentleman Zhongli, will capture your heart, because who else deserves to spend eternity by your side.

Zhongli's worship is attentive, respectful, quietly fiercely loyal.

When Childe overhears the other fatui members whispering "There are rumors the god of Teyvat has arrived in Mondstadt. Taking on the form of a beautiful young woman." he stops dead in his tracks, eyes widening. He stops the informant demanding more details. Its Childe who has to show the most restraint in his entire life when the you agree to meet with the fatui harbingers. Your expression cold as you greet each member, your voice curt and short not entertaining a longer conversation. Childe has to fight back a grin when he first sees you and hears your voice. The sound immediately familiar to him. His heart racing, fingers twitch to touch you, hold you, to thank you over and over again. When your eyes finally land on him your expression quickly changes. You smile brightly, "Childe" you call his name is such an affection manner it makes his knees weak. The sweet sound throwing his mind back to when your warmth surrounded him in that dark pit. He finds himself dropping to knees before he even thinks, his head low and gaze to the floor to hide the tears threatening to slip. "The Fatui await your every command your grace."

Childe becomes your friend, easily, naturally. Even if you can not remember comforting him in the abyss. The other harbingers are completely dumbfounded why out of all of them you choose to spend all your time with Childe. And Childe is so prideful about it. He becomes infatuated with you. Learns every little thing about you. Falls in love with you. His world seems lighter, brighter whenever he speaks with you. He becomes addicted to your laughter. Wants it all to himself. Starts to imagine what it be like to be yours, your only. And when you return his feelings, he's elated. And Childe doesn't believe he'll ever let you go, he cant, not when he finally has you in the flesh. No he can't see his life without you in it and he'll keep it that way. No matter what or who threatens his happiness.

Childe's worship is possessive, selfish, brazen, bloodthirsty and warm like a fire comforting you on a cold winter's night.

One more below!

SIKE but no keep reading please

I'm currently in the middle of making some genshin related art and if that interests you maybe you can take a look at my instagram 👉👈

I'm also going write a NSFW sagau piece next. Which will include Xiao(and Venti again, really suddenly have fallen hard for him)🥰 this is my first time dipping my toes into writing characters that are not OCs so I'm trying🙇‍♀️

[dragon-ascent]

Hello, how are you ? Since you have open request I’d like to ask something : How do you think our favorite dragon Zhongli will react to his wife being accused of lying because they have corrected an historian on a false fact about Morax ?

Since English isn’t my first language I’m afraid this is not clear, I’m sorry.

Ooh, I like it, here's what I've come up with <3

-----

The tension is palpable and certainly not what you were hoping to land yourself in when you accepted Zhongli's request to be his plus-one aboard the Pearl Galley.

"Forgive me, Mr. Changying, but that's where I'll have to correct you," you tell the stocky man before you. The food and drinks on the table are long-untouched. "Rex Lapis didn't take on such a grand ten-headed and eight-armed form to exterminate those sea creatures. In fact, he personally went door to door to trap them in little Geo contraptions, even having a bit of trouble with the.... particularly wrigglier ones."

Changying's eyes practically roll into the back of his head. "Do you truly believe that rubbish just because that is what's commonly peddled? That the Geo archon, who could raise the mountains and calm the tides without breaking a sweat, found the task of getting rid of tiny sea creatures tedious and challenging?"

Sighing, you say, "Even the gods are subject to being less-than-perfect in their methods. And besides, the damn things were inside people's houses - brute strength would not have been handy at all. Rex Lapis needed to be careful and meticulous so that none of his people were harmed. Hence the Geo cages."

Despite how neatly you'd presented your counterpoint, Changying merely scoffs as he adjusts his glasses. He jabs a finger at you accusingly. "You're lying, just like everyone else," he growls, "and you clearly have no respect for our late archon! Do you even like him?"

Your breath nearly hitches in your throat as you gaze up at him in shock. "Ex...excuse me?"

The man pulls no punches as he continues his rant against you. "How can you so blindly believe what the masses think? Maybe if you were a real Rex Lapis follower like me, you would learn some critical thinking skills and draw more accurate conclusions!"

"I'm afraid I am on the side of my partner here, Mr. Changying," cuts in Zhongli, placing an arm on your shoulder. Relief floods your veins as you let out the breath you'd been holding. "They are correct in explaining that Rex Lapis had to go the simplistic route when dealing with Liyue's sea creature infestation."

Changying's eyes grow wide. "Forgive me, Mr. Zhongli," he murmurs, and you're not ignorant to the way his tone mellows out and becomes more respectful as he continues to speak. "I didn't know you were also in agreement of that story. But let me explain why he likely-"

"It is alright for you to have your own interpretations of events, especially for a being with an expansive history that is always being debated over," says Zhongli calmly, poised as always, "but when these interpretations are unrealistic and you still try to present them as fact...while belittling other people, no less...the line must be drawn somewhere, yes?"

Changying blanches, stammering, "Er, but don't you think Rex Lapis would appreciate deviating thought processes more, especially when..."

Zhongli's eyes narrow ever so slightly, his visage still calm as a pond. "Perhaps so, but what he would not appreciate is his people trying to one-up others in an attempt to prove they are his most loyal followers." Your husband glances at you. "I know my partner well, and they love Rex Lapis dearly. Not only do you accuse them of lying, you also undermine the love they hold for the deity."

His hand brushes against yours and he interlaces his fingers with you, giving a gentle, reassuring squeeze. You smile softly.

Changying scrambles for words, useless excuses and explanations that hardly justify him being on his high horse.

Zhongli, unamused, fires his parting shot. "Far be it for an ordinary man like myself to tell you what to do, but here is some advice: gather reliable citations for your claims, provide succinct evidence, and be respectful of those with opposing views, and perhaps then Rex Lapis would consider you a favorite of his."

With that, Zhongli escorts you away from the scene, knowing full well you will always be his favorite by far - the approving smile he gives you conveys that perfectly.

[whispereons]

Oracle!Reader Part 14

Masterlist - Part 1, Part 13, Part 15

Warning as usual. There is blood and gore in this chapter!

Staring up at the Archon parading around in human form, you lick your lips and note how even those minor injuries were healed. Your body aches with phantom pain, some wounds healed too rapidly. 

"I don't mind answering some questions, can I get your name first?"

A small smile plays at his lips as his hand is held out in front of you. "My name is Zhongli, I'm the Funeral Parlors consultant. It would be a pleasure to hear yours, outlander."

So he is aware of your origin, well at least partly aware. If he's not going to pull any punches then why should you? Besides if it all goes wrong, you can blame it on the bloodloss that you're still recovering from.

"I'm Y/N, and you're correct that I do not originate from this world. You must not be a normal person either, in fact you look identical to this statue. This one portrays Morax the Geo Archon, but I'm sure you know that, Rex Lapis."

Getting a good look at the statue from your proximity, it was obvious that Zhongli was Morax. You could make the excuse of it being game logic on why no one makes the connection, but that wouldn't work anymore. Maybe the statues are imbued with power that prevents anyone from this world to recognize the similarities?

"So it seems you are more knowledgeable than the traveler was when they arrived here. I should have known considering how the Electro and Geo particles surround you with zeal. Perhaps Teyvat is charmed by the features you share with the Holy One."

His step forward and angled head to look you in the eyes have you staring at glowing amber hues. The red eyeliner and outlined iris make it uncomfortably clear how intensely he's examining you.

"The curve of your lips, a stature so familiar, you resemble the creator so much. Teyvat must be bewitched and awed by an individual so alike as you. If only I could see your face in it's full visage, only then would I know for sure..."

Anyone would feel flattered or embarrassed with how seriously Zhongli studies you, but dread is the only thing you feel. You know that behind those honey-coated words is a trap just waiting for you to spring.

Too bad for him; the last thing you plan to be is predictable.

"My, my what a compliment! A devout and faithful follower like yourself is comparing me to the creator? You should pray for forgiveness to the merciful creator. I'm a servant for them, just in a different league than you. My connection with them is strong enough that Teyvat graces me with qualities alike yet inferior to the Everlasting One."

Zhongli returned to his perfect posture at your words, the flash of envy couldn't hide. "Oh?" Narrowed eyes and a lofty tone that encourages you to smile wider. "And what position could an outsider like you hold?"

"Well, as an Oracle of course! Really, just how dumb are you? An outlander that is incredibly knowledgeable of the Creator? It's painfully obvious." There's no reaction to your test insults, which is fine that wasn't the last you had in store.

"I'm from the world that the Creator is recuperating in. It's due to that, that I can speak to them much more freely than everyone here. Even Teyvat pales in comparison. That's why Teyvat is so attached to me, my aura is overwhelmed by the creators."

Honestly, you had Chongyun to thank for that one. You weren't sure how you were supposed to explain the whole Teyvat clinging to you without sounding repetitive. But if Zhongli was that easily fooled, he wouldn't be one of the victors of the Archon war.

"Then enlighten me on why the glorious creator would need an Oracle of your caliber to spread their word. Surely that's the least you can do." He's fully dropped that faux-polite tone in contrast to the technically proper speech. 

"Gladly! It's become common knowledge that the elemental monsters and animals have started to act strangely. Add in the leylines that change from out of control to perfectly calm in a matter of minutes or weeks. These are all signs of the Creator's upcoming appearance! They need to be sure of who in this vast land they can properly trust."

"That still doesn't explain why you in particular were chosen. A wily and fresh child like you wouldn't do the best job." Hard like stone, Zhongli refused to even blink at your words. A god like himself would never falter after thousands of years spent perfecting his worship. 

But did he really have to insult you at the same time?

"So you refuse to believe it because of my supposed inability to properly carry out any duties assigned to me? You don't even know all that I had done to arrive here! Surely you should know just how rough the waters were..."

The hand that covers your mouth does a poor job of covering the sly smile. Zhongli stares at you in silence, the wind swaying around the floating chunk of rock that you both stand on.

"Just what are you trying to imply?" His voice is as soft as a whisper but cutting like the sharpest steel.

"Why explain it when I can show it?" Silently rejoicing at such a convenient set up, you peer into your bag and grab the item you've been saving.

Shimmering brightly in the harsh glares of the sun is Beisht's scale, still in pristine condition despite your perilous journey since that day you got it from the sea-leviathan.

It feels like ages ago. Just how much time has passed since you arrived on Teyvat? How much more time will you spend in situations like this? Weeks? Months? YEARS?

The existential dread is quickly pushed away by your beaming smile at Zhongli's reaction to the singular item. The rocky exterior finally breaks at the proof of your 'abilities'. His lips part at the bright teal color and he blinks incredulously at it.

Really, how could you pass up the chance to rub it in?

"Surely a human of my caliber would be capable of this much. I mean, a perfectly intact scale from a leviathan that managed to avoid the whole Qixing that isn't dyed in blood? Child's play for a servant specifically chosen by the Creator. I never doubted the creators' choices!" 

Holding the scale in front of you, you smirk at the man with as much snark as you hold in your heart. "The same can't be said for you, Mr. 'That still doesn't explain why you in particular were chosen.' Because the Creator is capable of choosing anyone they want, for whatever reason they desire."

Silence envelopes the area as you stare at him, a beat passes with no movement until a gruff chuckle leaves him.

"The more you speak, the closer I come to a conclusion." Recovering quickly, Zhongli's gloved hand rises to tap his mouth contemplatively. "You're either something far worse than I've seen in a long time, or a hope for the Creator's return."

That white outline around his iris seems to spin with the malicious joy that he refuses to show. It's like his body screams that he'll either enjoy your presence or your destruction. Nerves and anxiety grip your heart but ignoring it has always worked better for you.

"Maybe I can say the same thing about you considering your past, but I see you still aren't convinced. And how could I ever let you, one of the longest standing worshippers, have doubts about me? So tell me, were Beisht and her husband devout or sacrilegious beings?"

The answer he'll say is obvious, not only because you hold such a confident stance showing that you know the answer but because of Zhongli himself. A noble dragon that willingly bows to someone would feel ashamed at the thought of resorting to lying to boost his own pride.

Quite ironic how you hold so much trust in his answer due to the acolytes' faith in the creator. The same faith that led you to this position, and the same thing that'll keep you from ever exposing the truth of your identity. A constant force preventing them from meeting their 'beloved' creator.

"You met Beisht in the flesh, there's no doubt that she is solemn and serious in her worship. The same can be said for Osial, it was one of the few things I could agree with the leviathan. Even still, I'm the superior believer. After all, I'm the one who is left after all this time." 

"Yet I met Beisht before you."

The scoff and know-it-all tone he used pricked at your nerves long enough to cause an annoyed response to slip out. Unfortunately, that seems to be what Zhongli was baiting for as he laughs, the low sound making the rock platform tremble.

"That's if you're even an Oracle. You may be from that world and even heard about Teyvat from the Creator, but for all I know, you could have been banished here for us acolytes to execute. Whether it be for avenging the Creator or entertaining them."

Damn, it was almost scary how fast he turned the situation around. But how could you falter now? Getting tongue-tied at such a crucial moment would be a pathetic way to lose your life.

"And what will you do if I truly am an Oracle? When the creator's return is delayed months, years or even decades due to your rash actions, what will you tell the creator when confronted with the consequences of your own actions?"

"Then you should work hard enough to prove to skeptics like myself. To put blind faith in whatever is dubbed the creator's is a fool's belief. Temptation and sin ravage Teyvat from the long drought of the Creator's presence."

For a split second, sorrow clouded his eyes. He's hiding something. It’s important and you can feel it in your soul. The only thing that really stains his and Venti's reputation is their war with Khaenri'ah. It must be connected to that. 

But it's too early to try digging in for information on that. He doesn't even believe you to be the Oracle, how could you possibly get that out of him? What if he's under a contract and must stay silent on the matter?

Lost in his memories, Zhongli doesn't realize how your face pinches in frustration. You'll have to get his approval as the Oracle before you can even- 

Oh.

Oh, why didn't you realize this before?

A grin spreads across your face as you circle in on the heart of the problem and the perfect way to fix it.

It's not that Zhongli doesn't believe you to be the creator's Oracle, he just doesn't want to believe it! He's envious: envious of why a random outlander like you got such a nice position in comparison to him who probably spent most of his life molding himself to the creators standards.

All that's left is to reel him in and you know the perfect way how.

"Prove myself? I've done plenty to prove myself, but what about you?" Mockingly, you tilt your head as your empty gaze peers into Zhongli's eyes, digging deep into him. He focuses back on the conversation at your shift in tone.

"If anyone should have to prove themselves, it should be you." This time it's you who takes the bold step forward. "Let's start at the beginning, shall we? And try to keep in that temper too so that I can finish my words. A dragon your age should know such simple things."

"As Morax you were quite powerful, though a brute to be completely honest. Still, you knew your limits well and paired up with the Lord of Dust before the Archon War, who served as the 'brain'. Tell me, just how did it feel when you found her as nothing more than a statue that day?"

Your words have a strong effect on the imposing man, his fist trembling at the mention of such a beloved god, one whose death still pains him. Paying no mind to his pain you ask the monumental question.

"Just how much resentment do you hold against the Creator for her death?"

A hand slams you against the Statue hard enough to bruise your skin. It doesn't squeeze around your throat but there's no need to as the Geo begins to petrify your legs, locking you in place. The Statue is in a constant state of healing in defense to the bruises on your neck.

"Just what are you trying to imply by saying that?" Cold and apathetic is the voice that flows from the stoic man. It's what you would imagine Morax would sound like before Guizhong taught him how to care for humans.

"C'mon, that's the second time you've asked me that. Don't make me speak the obvious-" A shuddering gasp leaves you as he tightens his grip. But it's gone just as fast; a flock of birds tackle Zhongli.

You can only watch in shock as what was only 4 to 5 birds grow to become at least 15 birds of all kinds attacking him. The throbbing of your neck being healed as the Geo instantly releases you is overshadowed by Zhongli swatting at the birds as he takes continuous steps back.

But that's all it took for Zhongli to fall off the edge as the birds flew away cawing happily. Standing and staring at the spot where Zhongli fell off in shock, you begin to chuckle. It grows to a giggle before you're laughing hysterically as you buckle to the ground. Loud peels of laughter ring around the area as you hold your stomach from the ache of laughing so much.

To think Teyvat took the initiative to help you out for once. Why couldn't it do it sooner? Was it only after gaining some power from activating a new nations statue of the seven that it could? You couldn't focus on the question anymore as the look on Zhongli's face when he fell came to mind again.

The sight of his eyes blown wide and a split second of pure panic sent you straight back into a fit of laughter. The ground far below you shakes as a Geo pillar constructs a bridge high enough to reach the stone you sat on. 

The sound of footsteps make you open your eyes and giggle at the sight of a disheveled and annoyed Zhongli. Annoyed is still an improvement compared to his enraged state earlier. With giggles slipping out, you stand back up and laugh louder at his appearance in full view.

His hair was pulled out of his rattail with his earrings nowhere to be seen. Bits and pieces of the weaker cloth of his suit were missing, giving him a poor look that didn't match his flawless posture. The red marks and light cuts only added to the joy you feel at his expense.

"Are you finished laughing, Y/N?"

"For now at least. I would suggest buying a new set of clothes but I don't think you have the mora for it!" Zhongli only lets out a long-suffering sigh as you crack up again.

You would be scolding yourself for not taking the chance to escape while he was away but it was better this way. You didn't need the information about Khaenri'ah, it was nice to know but the information wouldn't help you live.

The main reason you stayed was because running away would prove Zhongli right to be suspicious about you. It would let him know that you're scared and have something to hide. Plus, that would mean having to escape Liyue the same way you did Ei, just in a worse situation.

That's not something you want to repeat.

"Alright I'm done laughing." You say while wiping off the budding tears from the corner of your eyes. Zhongli sends you a look that screams that he doesn't believe you but you shrug it off.

"Really, that question was more of a test if you will. My main job is simply to see who the Creator can trust. Your relationship with the Creator beyond that is between you and them." 

The calm and peaceful tone you use is such a contrast to the one you used earlier that Zhongli is clearly apprehensive. Paying it no mind you continue to speak. 

"If you truly want a reason to at least try and believe me to be the oracle even if you don't fully believe me, then I'll give you one. I'm sure you still have the stone dumbbell from Guizhong that you've never been able to open. I know how to open it."

Those last words have Zhongli staring at you intensely as you gaze off into the distance. The Dragon-Queller tree is visible through the fog with its glowing blue branches and yellow leaves.

"How?" He breathes out, scared to trust but scared to lose this opportunity too.

"It requires a naturally grown glaze lily cultivated by the Creator. That's because it requires a 'pure' glaze lily and the only one who can grow such a thing at this day and age is the Creator. All the natural glaze lilies have died after all."

Zhongli's shoulders slump at your words. It seems he started to let his guard down after he fell off. He must no longer view you as a threat or, at most, an annoyance. That's okay with you, underestimation is the most useful viewpoint they could have for you.

"Should I even make an attempt to ask you why it can only be unlocked with that? You're only telling me this as a last resort to keep you alive, correct? Even if I told you that I would keep you alive without that information, you wouldn't believe me. As childish as you may be, foolishness does not seem to be a quality you hold."

"That may be true, but if you really want an answer to that first question then I'll tell you." You look over to lock eyes with him and smile. It conceals every sneaky and vicious thought you hold. "I have no clue. The Creator instructed me to use it as a last resort, if you want that answer then try praying. Perhaps you'll get an answer."

You would like to know the answer to the stone dumbbell too. After all, you only made up the solution! Seeing as Zhongli spent all these years after Guizhong's death, failing to unlock it, it's a good bet that it'll never open. 

It's silent as you both get lost in your own thoughts. Unlike before it wasn't tense, it was more comparable to the silence you would spend alone in your apartment. The nights you would only be accompanied by the thoughts of the 'what-if' situations. Thoughts that would only stay thoughts just as the past would be just that, the past.

Wanderer learned that the hard way too. You wouldn't let yourself hold so many regrets before your inevitable death. Even in Liyue you weren't truly safe, so wouldn't it be best to speak to Zhongli while you still could?

"I have questions about Khaenri'ah… Well, the better way to put it is that the Creator has questions about them. It's one of the few things that they mourn the most. A whole nation devoted to worshiping solely the creator, destroyed by the Archons that swore their life and loyalty to the creator. So will you explain it to me?"

His eyes fill with the same sorrow you saw in him earlier. It seems you were right in guessing that his line on blindly trusting things labeled with the creator was connected to Khaenri'ah.

"I have spent all my years after that day asking for forgiveness, for some way to atone. It was one of the few contracts that I did not properly balance in equivalent exchange. I regret signing it, not for myself but for my beloved God."

"So it's a no."

"It's an agreement not to speak of it."

"Then don't speak about it." Zhongli seeds you a questioning glance as you mischievously smile at him. "Just listen to my words and don't look away. I'm quite sure nodding and shaking your head doesn't count as breaking your silence."

A huff of amusement leaves him at your solution. His eyes close with his lips curling into a small smile. He nods his head in acceptance, not having the drive to poke holes into your stubbornness.

You were quite confident in the conclusions you've drawn so far. Genshin Impact was nearly the sole reason you were living back on Earth. Family and friends were nonexistent, you had given up hope on making any new connections as well. The only thing you did when you weren't home was work and your work made you be everything but yourself. So combining everything you know from the game with everything of the cult that you've learned thus far shouldn't be too hard.

"When the Archon War broke out, I'm sure most of you were merely looking to keep your people and nation alive. The original design of having the gods powered solely on their people's worship paled in comparison to Celestia's offer of power by obtaining a spot in a group of seven. At the end, you all had a choice. Accept your spot by accepting a Gnosis, or go against them similar to how the Dragon King once did."

Zhongli perks up at the mention of the Dragon King. Not many people know about the original Dragon King. Most people assume it's Azhdaha when in reality, the original was a far greater dragon.

"You all must have been quite against it. The only God you would all bow under would be the Creator who had left before those events to sleep in my world, yet Celestia probably whispered to you all that it was allowed on Teyvat because it was approved by the Creator. That the Gnosis was a reward for all your hard work and as Celestia was the first descender, all of you accepted it.”

The way he begins to stare at you is invasive, like he's just dying to jump you to get every bit of knowledge you hold on the topic. He's starting to suspect you.

"Yet when Khaenri'ah was revealed to exist years afterwards, everything was thrown into confusion. I'm sure you and the other Archons were fine with their presence as Khaenri'ah worshiped the Creator, but was Celestia?" 

A sly smile creeps upon your face at the memory of when it was revealed that Khaenri'ah  wasn't the first civilization to be turned into hilichurls. No one liked Celestia so you had no problem pinning almost all the blame onto it.

"I'm sure they were enraged, especially as Khaenri'ah grew more and more bold with their inventions. Gold in particular was quite dangerous seeing as she not only created life but also Durin and the Golden Wolflord. And even that was unintentional!"

You laugh cheerfully as Zhongli chuckles in surprise at your words. Had you successfully deterred him? Probably not, but he hasn't stopped you so you'll keep going till the end.

"Celestia ordered you all to aid them in destroying Khaenri'ah but you all refused. How could any of you harm a nation so devoted to the creator even if they refused to worship Celestia or the Seven? But that Gnosis you all accepted comes with a price. A price that serves as leverage and a control device."

The thoughts of what Beisht told you on how Celestia had caused them to forget the original way of worship resurfaced. Celestia was just too suspicious for that to be the only thing they had done. It would take a lot more than that to force the Archons to listen to them.

"That Gnosis was like a drug. It gave you all so much power, tasting and making you feel like you're on top of the world! Just for it to come crashing down when the unpleasant side effects hit you. It corrupted you all like poison forcing you to wage war against Khaenri'ah. My best bet is that it was like mind control. What do you say?"

He looks at you with a blank expression, as if trying to see the secrets you hid in your soul through your eyes. But there's no response from him, not even the occasional nods that he was giving before.

"Well if it was mind control, perhaps it made you believe that Khaenri'ah had plans to overrule the Creator and create their own human god. Or maybe it made them out to be traitors to the creator. Perhaps both? That doesn't really matter, what does matter is that only after the war was in full throttle were you all brought back to your senses."

You didn't have any proof of that last part, it just seemed like something Celestia would do. Not only to prove their superiority but also force the Archons to put their best effort in defeating the people of Khaenri'ah to save their nations.

"After the war ended, you all wanted to get rid of it but Celestia wouldn't allow such a thing. Even if you most likely tried to find some loophole, Celestia doesn't play nice. It would make sense if they threatened to give a punishment similar to what they had done to Khaenri'ah. So long as none of you destroy or throw it away, they'll leave you all be,”

Venti was a god, no matter what fans said, there was no way he would lose to Signora. It made more sense if that was his way of 'handing' it over to the Tsaritsa. There was also Nahida who threatened to break her Gnosis to one-up Dottore. That was always funny, you would kill to have witnessed that in person. 

"Of course none of you would actually use it or even desire it in your vicinity. Everyone wins when the Tsaritsa uses her various methods to acquire the gnosis'. And thanks to the traveler appearing during that time, Celestia was probably too busy freaking out over that to pay too much attention. For a while at least."

Finally looking back to Zhongli, you smiled proudly. "I must be pretty close right? At no point did you laugh at me like you did with Alice so I'll take that as a good sign. And even if I'm wrong, everything will be solved when the Creator descends."

Stretching to loosen the tension in your back, you applaud yourself for the brilliant thinking. It's not like anyone can actually fake gold blood for long when even hair dye didn't exist yet. You're basically leaving all these loose ends to the you that would be believed to be the Creator. Which is never going to happen!

"Would the Creator scorn me for asking you once again if you're truly an oracle?"

"I'm sure the glorious creator would be fully justified in doing so, but I'll scorn you in their stead.. And don't get it twisted, it's not because of your feelings concerning Guizhong's death. It's how you, by your own negligence, offended the Creator!"

An utterly baffled expression paints his face at your accusation. Unrelenting, you point your finger at him with a serious face that you haven't shown him till now.

"Did you really believe that the creator wouldn't realize? Just how little you changed from that brute of a dragon that saw humans as plentiful yet insignificant as dust? To think that you believed yourself to be comparable to the primordial dragons."

Zhongli stiffens at the mention of the primordial dragons. After all he is the prime of the Adepti who's exuvia is a dragon, not a primordial dragon. Wouldn't it be fun if he held some sense of inferiority when compared to the primordial ones?

Zhongli sits on the ledge of the rock with his elbows on his legs and his hands covering his face. It was time. He would question just what you were talking about and you'll explain the elemental sacrificing that he forgot. That'll be the end and he'll have no choice but to support you! 

Smiling knowingly you approach him and lean down to see behind the shadow casting over his eyes. Your eyes twinkle victoriously as his breath leaves a cloud from the crisp air.

"I should have known that the creator would not forgive me for failing to arrive on time."

What? 

"How could I have been beaten to that shooting star by that astrologist? No matter who may have been her master, I failed to arrive on time."

Zhongli sulks there as he continues rambling to himself on 'missing' the shooting star due to his old age. Was he seriously talking about how you lost him the first time to Mona?!

Memories come back of you using the last of your wishes on his banner and being greeted with Mona instead. The first 50/50 you lost and was forced to use nearly all your primogems to get him. A fact that you never let Zhongli forget through your adventures.

Just what would he do if he knew how you always switched to a different character whenever his idle starts to play? Would he sew his lips together in repentance? That must be the difference between a true believer and a fake believer...

Holding back a sigh you begin brainstorming on how you were supposed to bring the conversation back to the sacrificing. Zhongli is too lost in his own head as he begins to continuously blame himself for any mistake he could have made.

"Being unable to answer the travelers' questions must have worsened their view on me too."

"That and how you were willing to let Liyue flood if they couldn't defeat Osial."

"Human life may be precious but they're as numerous as the dust that make up stone. I would rebuild Liyue for the rest of this long life until I cultivate a nation that I could humbly present the creator with."

"Then shouldn't the creator just grind you down and raise a different Adepti to their exact liking? You should work hard to be exactly what they desire to be truly loved."

"Are you saying that the Creator loathes me?" He finally looks away from the sea of clouds to stare at you. Sparing him a glance, you listen to him grow more panicked by your silence.

"Do they wish to see me crumble and be reabsorbed into the earth for my mistakes, for my sins? Was it the way I mechanically went through the motions of worship for the few years after Guizhong's death? Or does my benevolent god crave me and my nation to fall for aiding in the destruction of Kh-?"

Abruptly Zhongli grasps at his chest where his heart lays as he coughs. More out of politeness than concern you rub his back as fluid flies from his lips to his closed fist.

The thick inky plum colored fluid stained his fist with droplets of crimson swirling within it. His coughing fit slows to a halt as his hand slowly releases the clothing over his heart. Harsh breathing and a shallow pained groan is all that can be heard as he cleans himself up.

“Pardon me-” 

“Was that a warning from Celestia or a side effect if you get too close to speaking?"

"The implication is the same no matter what it may be from." He whispers as you begin to move back to return his personal space. Yet his now ungloved hand is what wraps around your grass stained sleeve.

"Now answer my question." Determination and a barely concealed unruly emotion simmer beneath his composed surface as he asks. "As an oracle, tell me what I have to do to earn their forgiveness. What must I reap to begin repenting for the sins I sowed?" 

Eyes widening at the sight of the disheveled man, you stare at him quietly. The messy hair, cut up clothing and grip tight enough to keep you still all while being careful not to bruise.

Hook, line and sinker.

"Is that a question for me to answer? Am I the god that you wronged? If you wish to communicate with the creator yourself, then there is a way. A method to begin regaining the pebbles that make up the mountain of trust you once shared with them."

You grab the arm that connects to his hand wrapped around your own and pull him up. He obeys the silent command and stands up, his gaze never faltering from your form. Silent and towering like the mountains he's created, he simply listens.

"Celestia has hidden more from you than you originally thought. But I'm sure you already know that. Offer yourself to the merciful creator and they'll surely hear your pleas of forgiveness. Whether they forgive you or not is up to them."

Releasing your hold on him, you turn to survey the area. Now where could you have him perform the sacrifice? His free hand comes to rest on your shoulder for your attention.

"What must I offer of myself? My blood? My body? If need be, I'll even be willing to offer my life. My life is worthless without them. I'm nothing more than a grain of mineral if not for them."

"There's so many things you can offer, but if you want to make the most impact, then you'll offer up your body parts. Your life may be precious but just how much longer do you have left?"

"Then will the private temple I have built for them work? We can head there immediately." He points south to the sole unnamed mountain in Minlin. You vividly remember unlocking the teleport waypoint there.

"The only way I'll know is when I see the interior. I'll meet you there Zhongli!"

Pulling yourself away from his grasp, you close your eyes and calmly imagine what the scenery around the waypoint looks like. The rocky feel of the floating stone changes to a lush green beneath your feet. Opening your eyes you're greeted with a valley of viridescent brustles with degraded stone ruins at the edges. 

"To think that the Creator even allowed you access to the waypoints. They must treasure you greatly." He appears at your side in a matter of minutes. His tone has a hint of longing and bitterness.

It's sweet like the flavor of a childhood candy that you would sneak behind your parents backs. Almost sweet enough to make up for the starvation you would face later on as punishment.

"Instead of focusing on that, why don't you show me that private temple you created? As the Geo Archon, I hold high expectations for you."

"This temple is the one I created for me. If you want the glamorous shrine built for the mass and appearance then you're better off viewing the public one that the Qixing now control."

He walks down the hill until the grass is tall enough to cover his calves. You follow behind him and stare blankly at the plain that is covered with a healthy amount of tall marigolds. Just as you're about to repeat the question, the earth begins to rumble.

It starts with just one stone rising from the ground, until it multiplies into a roof like structure. You watch in awe as a temple surges out of the mountain with the slightest bits of dirt falling off it.

Stone of high quality and clearly careful upkeep shines with small cracks from the passage of time. Gold, silver, and bronze layer the nooks and crannies of the pillars that keep a roof over the doorway.

Marveling at it, you follow Zhongli into the temple... He couldn't kill you in it, right? Surely you could still teleport even if he locked you in it… Teleporting without using the map might not work due to the focus and effort it required, but doing it with the map has never failed you yet.

The inside was even more impressive; statues of all kinds surrounded the hallway. It was you, always you, just in different poses, clothing and materials. From thin robes crafted entirely from Cor Lapis, to suits made of Noctilucous Jade.

Arriving at what seemed to be the main room, you're greeted with a huge statue comparable to the public one in Inazuma's plaza. Sunlight bathed your statue from the skylight above it.

Your body was made of Cor Lapis decorated in an Archon-like robe made from Noctilucous Jade. A fresh Glaze Lily sat in your palm as Silk Flowers adorned your head in a crown like structure. You sat on a blue stone throne that seemed to grow brighter as you approached it. The sleek yet dense mineral looked like the magical crystal chunks you would give to the blacksmiths. 

"Be careful to not venture too close to that one, the elemental energy may leave it to join you." Zhongli warns as he steps into the middle of the room. Smiling casually to hide your amazement, you head back to him.

"What an impressive statue, the Creator is feeling quite pleased with the display but still wishes to see your true remorse." Digging into your bag, you brought out the ceremonial knife and the handbook you took notes on.

"Go get the softest cloth and lay it on the ground. This ritual is simple, you'll cut off whatever part of your body you wish to offer, pray, and wait for a response. If 10 to 20 minutes pass with no response, then you can leave it at that or offer more in hopes of a response."

Closing the book and shoving it back into your bag you offer the knife to Zhongli. He looks up from where he laid the gilded gold fabric to stare at the knife before letting out a drawl laugh.

"That knife will do little to my scales, Y/N. A ceremonial item is to be bathed in liquid gold to be used so I have more than enough weapons that can actually cut my skin."

Scoffing, you stuff the knife back in as he leaves and returns with a variety of weapons. The largest was an ax that smelled faintly of blood. Was it used to sacrifice someone not too long ago? The thought makes you uncomfortable, yet you're no longer alarmed at the thought.

My, have you changed.

You move to stand away from the center closer to the exit. Zhongli's bare hand turns to a pattern of black and amber hues. Shedding his thick coat, his flexed muscles in draconic form are left in full view.

If you were back on Earth, you would have killed to view this. An Archon’s skin was something the majority of the players wished for, for quite a while. Even now, you would love to see his true Archon form, but the thought of actually living was far more tantalizing.

Rolling up his sleeves, he chooses a sword and examines it carefully. Without fear he raises it high and slices downwards cutting his hand off cleanly. The ruby liquid sprays onto the floor as the droplets drip off his sword and dismembered limb simultaneously.

It doesn't matter how many times you witness or smell blood, it still disgusts you. The only blood you truly cherished in shedding was the one that left that man's body when you stabbed him in that cold alleyway.

His hand lands onto the expensive textile with a wet thud as the ivory bone sticks out. Zhongli lays the sword down gently resisting the urge to groan in pain. Gritting his teeth he returned his attention and gaze back to you. You, who stayed in perfect position ahead of him, clad in gems and minerals carved by his own hand.

Closing his eyes, his lips followed the adored pass time of praying with intensity. Too lost in his regret, joy, and infatuation his words slipped out clear like the perfectly carved jewels he’s crafted for you.

"My god, my god. For I have sinned against you so. The mistakes I cannot fix or change, I pray for your forgiveness." Your unmoving, unchangeable eyes stared at him with an expression so familiar to him, one who worshiped you in this temple for centuries.

"From allowing myself to be tricked, to the lack of devotion I felt to you in Guizhong's death and finally with how I treated a servant of yours with disdain. Envious, I am envious to an extent that I shouldn't hold to my righteous god like you. Even now I still haven't broken the habit of referring to you as 'my' god."

Once again, just like the first time, Teyvat seems to overwhelm you with his feelings. You stare at his back as his lips murmur the words of devotion without an end in sight. Silently, you accept his offering, this first one was only to put the last nail in the coffin of you being an oracle. 

The sky darkens as Zhongli's hand crumbles into a pile of primogems that dissolve into the air. Blue and purple stars dance across the sky as a lone gold star makes its way closer. 

You didn't plan to always accept his offerings. After all you did lose a 50/50 to him and was forced to put up with his paranoid possessiveness in regards to your creator self. Shouldn't you make him lose a few times to even the score?

The gold star shines brighter and bigger as Zhongli gazes at it with a smile purer than anything he's ever felt since his creation at your hands. It flies through the window enveloping him and the whole room with a beaming light.

--------------

When his eyes open, the skylight shows the sunny sky but he can already feel his connection to you stronger. The brilliance you bore shines beautifully in him like a star he wished to keep hidden for only him to see.

It worked, it worked! There is no need for him to be wary or envious of you for claiming to be so close to the creator anymore. In fact, you were a sign specifically designed for someone like him. A sign that the creator had not grown complacent in simply watching Teyvat, you were now showing interest in coming back soon. And through you, he can find out details about the creator that were kept secret all these millennia.

A wide and joyful grin is bared with obsession tangling within it. He turns his head to where you stood and his smile drops abruptly when all he's greeted with is an empty spot. 

He built this temple for him and the creator to enjoy in privacy due to his possessive nature born from his dragon lineage, yet the sight of Y/N who up and vanished after fulfilling their duty struck his core like the abyssal gunk that used to constantly corrupt his body.

You may have left, you may think that he wouldn't treat you, a fellow devoted servant well due to his earlier behavior. And he understands that, he truly does but that simply means he has to rectify his mistake before it's too late. You were a mere human while him, a god. 

Finding you before any terrible consequences from his mistakes won't take too long.

-------------------

Unaware of the dragon's changing tune, you eye the Dragon-Queller tree from outside the temple with interest. After all the work you've done thus far, indulging yourself with a nice close up of the magnificent landmark would be a good treat for yourself.

This one took a while and it was edited by the same jerk. I really hope all the work was worth it and that the next part can be done faster. But as my college is starting this early Sep, it might be even longer. Genshin's lore is a hot mess so I tried my best to keep it simple while touching on the important parts. All the lore I put in is almost completely accurate. If you don't include the sagau parts. If your name is italic then that means I couldn't tag you. I manually put everyone so hopefully this fixes the notifications problems. Taglist: @vvyeislazzy, @nikqi, @the-dumber-scaramouche, @etherisy, @yourlocalstranger123, @ra404, @iruiji, @goldenglow149, @haru-tofuu, @lsleepysimpl, @bebobeboben, @yuyuzi-ling, @amidst-the-tempest, @resident-cryptid, @mxd1zzy, @mochicurls21, @nervouseaglelover, @thedevioussmirk, @yumuramma, @kwqsla, @undecidingfate, @ehjane, @game-savvy, @akiramirae, @sielt, @fluffy-koalala, @formacoon, @sxftiebee, @khxii-i, @ursinaw, @chuuya-brainrot, @sweetbills, @kazuchaos, @snowfoxnix, @bluebelony, @conspicuous-mayonnaise, @pencil-of-ashes, @ghostlyintervention, @taiformaifoe, @goaudduck, @carminerin, @maddysflowers, @zenith-of-all-zenith, @crazydreamcat, @leafanonsforest, @grimreapersscythe, @leylanx, @sapphireknown, @help-whatdoimakemyusername, @zhonglisfruityass, @mer0n37, @victoria1676, @mochinessss, @sinnful-darling, @emilymikado, @pix-stuff, @esthelily, @luxie963, @emmbny, @millienolife, @kbar1013, @xxblackroses623xx, @chxrlxtteee, @aludicpoet, @yandematic, @atrcclovsxoxo, @0lshadyl0

[silentmoths]

Quick-Relief

slides in like I havent not written anything for *squints* several fucking months.

the 'morax horny stick' decided to bonk me out of the blue today and so this was born, its quick, its dirty, take it or leave it, heathens.

Morax x Adeptus! Reader (fem anatomy)

NSFW

Smut, Semi public, mentions of war, Morax is a lil on the rougher side, honestly this is just Porn without Plot.

How long had you been in the field now? Two months? Three? You’d honestly lost count. 

There was real keeping of time during the archon war, at least not for you; you were an adeptus, here to fight for your archon, Morax.

And yet, you can't help but miss the times… before.

When you would wander the halls of his domain, only for a strong, darkened arm to reach out from his study or his chambers, catching your waist, your sleeve, the sash of your hafu, and dragging you in. 

You were…unsure what you were exactly to Morax, a lover maybe? Or perhaps simple stress relief? You did not know, and you did not dare to ask. In the end you were one of his Adepti, and you would fight, serve or fall into his embrace, as he commanded.

Rain pelts against your skin as you slowly trudge up the mountain path towards the nearest encampment, carrying an injured comrade with you. Somewhere in the distance, you see Alatus flit past and you wonder just how he manages to maintain such energy, you don't think you’d seen the general stop for a breather the entire time, at least not until he was somewhat gravely injured…and even then he would only rest as little as he had to.

You pass your comrade off to a more capable healer than yourself before going off in search of food. A bath probably should have been first on the agenda but you just…didn’t have the energy in you for it yet, food first, then bath…and maybe if you were lucky, some sleep.

Yeah things don’t go the way you planned. When do they ever?

As you shovel away a quick meal of rice and vegetables, you cant help but feel eyes on you, but between being too tired to look around, and knowing everyone else sitting around you were just as busy shovelling food into your faces, you couldn’t bring yourself to care. That same feeling lingers as you shamble towards a bathing spring, no time to soak, if you wanted a chance at getting some sleep before you were called to action again, you needed to scrub and go, which is exactly what you do. Violently scrubbed clean of dirt, debris and blood, as much as you want to remain, you force yourself from the warm waters, quickly drying off before making for a tent, you didn't care who was in there, you just wanted somewhere sheltered to rest your head.

A hand, warm, familiar and strong, rests upon your shoulder, but in your tired stupor, you swing, intending on hitting away whomever had approached so quietly until your wrist is grabbed.

You knew the glow of these hands anywhere, the geo resonating softly through his veins, and you look up to be met with smouldering amber.

“Morax…” you whisper.

He’s caught somewhere between dragon and man, he has the human visage you are used to, the one he used most often to interact with mortals, but his horns and tail were also visible; his horns glowing a faint golden in the low light of the chilly mountainside. 

You feel his grip tighten on you, his pupils restricting into slits for a mere moment before blowing wide and you can feel the anticipation beginning to run up your spine. Yeah you weren't sleeping tonight.

A beat passes between you both before he turns, tugging you along, out of sight of anyone, out of the encampment entirely, and all you can do is stumble along as his massive hand grips your wrist. He walks these mountains like a flat road, he knew them better than the back of his own hand, his strides are wide, and quick as he leads you further from camp, down a slippery cliff and before you know it, into a cave, only to be pressed against the cool stone wall as he practically hikes you up it, your legs coming to rest around his waist as he holds you there effortlessly.

“My lord-” 

“Shut up.” Morax all but growls back before his lips crash into yours, long, serpentine tongue invading your mouth in a very quickly lost battle of dominance. His hands claw at your robe, tugging the offending garment apart so he can get at your naked body with ease, your own arms moving to wrap around his neck.

gods, you hadn’t realised just how much you needed this.

The longer you spend pressed between your archon’s warm flesh, and the cold stone of the wall, the more the churning arousal in your gut becomes apparent. You’d been fighting for so long you’d absolutely disregarded your body and it’s signals, and judging by how rough Morax was being, one hand gripping your hip tight enough to leave bruises whilst the other shoves his own pants down to his knees, he must have been feeling the same.

“My lord-” you try again, your own hands shifting up to his horns, grabbing hold to at least try and pull him away for a moment so you can breathe.”Take a moment-” “No.” He growls, one hand gripping your hips as a pair of fingers push inside your already embarrassingly wet cunt. “The moment I saw you walk into camp, I couldn’t withhold anymore.” he rumbles, smirking dangerously as he watches your face twist with a mix of pleasure and pain as he splays those long, devilish fingers, after so long, you’re glad he at least had the forwithall to stretch you and take some of the inevitable sting off.

“Your body has toned up some more.” He muses as he continues the rough thrust of his fingers, his own body weight keeping you pressed against the wall as his free hand roams the expanse of your body revealed beneath the robe “and yet, despite all the fighting, your skin still feels like silk.” You can feel your cheeks heating at his surprisingly tender words; there was no small amount of pent up lust edging his tone, and yet he still found time to leave a compliment as his lips descend upon your neck, biting and suckling, leaving a small trail of blooming bruises from your jaw to your collarbone, all while he revels in the breathy gasps and muffled moans he draws from your lips.

That same tenderness doesn’t last long though; the moment he begins to feel you clench around his fingers, hear the way your voice pitches higher, he knew you were close, and instead of simply letting you come, he pulls his fingers out and you whine at him, looking to his face desperately, only to be met with a dark smirk before he quickly, harshly shoves his cock into you, burying all the way to the hilt in one single, harsh thrust that has you screaming, the sudden intrusion enough to send you over that edge as you orgasm around him.

“That's it.” he rumbles at you, his voice caught somewhere between a growl and a purr as his draconic tail lashes behind him, he doesn't give you a chance to catch your breath, his hips setting a brutal pace that has any breath you manage to catch leaving your body just as quickly as you moan into his shoulder. You feel it, every ridge of his inhuman cock, rutting inside of you, a dull aching pain mixed with pure, overwhelming pleasure as Morax growls into your throat, his teeth pressing against your skin, but not quite biting down.

His hands grab your waist, shifting your legs until they’re locked around his hips, just so he can get a better grip on you and take a step back, pulling you from the wall so he can all but bounce you on his cock like you were nothing more than a toy for him. He watches as your eyes roll back, and feels your hands, clinging desperately around his shoulders, one of your fingers finally catching in his hair tie and yanking, you did so love seeing his silky hair free and cascading down his back and shoulders.

Usually, before the war, when he’d pull you in for a night of intimacy, it was a slow affair; he liked to take his time, methodical in every one of his actions. 

That was not the case today.

This was a man pent up, stressed, pulled to the very limits and in desperate need of release, and he knew that just as well as you did. His pace was brutal, ruthless, and you cry for it because you needed this just as much as him, something to take your mind off of all the fighting, all the death and destruction, a moment to feel… mortal.

You only vaguely remember the moment he cums inside you, it’s hot, searingly so and it shoves you right off the edge into your second orgasm as your world turns white, a stark contrast to the drizzly grey day.

You wake, the next morning in a tent, re-clothed, rugged up amongst blankets and pillows, your muscles ached, but when had they not lately? Just some…new kinds of ache that made you realise last night had definitely not been a dream.

As if the impressive amount of hickeys you now had to find a way to hide weren't proof enough of your quick foray with the geo archon himself.

You just hoped the de-stressing had helped clear his head a little, after all, you were there to serve him.

Taglist: @stygianoir @meimeimeirin @ainescribe @dustofthedailylife @rjssierjrie @crystalflygeo @asoulsreverie @zomzomb1e @moraxsthrone @mysnowmanandmebaby @inlustris-is-slowly-dying @pvbbyb0y Want to be added to the list? shoot me an ask~

[abyssruler]

THE ADEPTI’S GUIDE ON HOW TO NOT CATCH FEELINGS FOR THE STRANGE MORTAL WHO HAS A MASSIVE CRUSH ON YOUR PSEUDO-DAD

pairing: xiao x fem!reader

summary: ever since you were a child, you had sworn to everyone you’ve ever met that one day you’re going to marry rex lapis, and never once has your resolve wavered. so why is your heart suddenly doing gymnastics whenever that weird adeptus fellow shows up?! he should be helping you get with rex lapis, not trying to be cute with that little happy face he makes as he takes a bite off the almond tofu you made him!

note: fem!reader, slight crack, comedy, reader is a dumbass and xiao is moronsexual that’s it that’s the fic, lumine and hu tao being wingmen, every playable character in liyue appears at some point, reader is the biggest rex lapis simp, and no you don’t know that zhongli is rex lapis

sporadic updates

PROLOGUE

When you were young, the elders of Qingce village deemed you, along with several other children, old enough and took you to see the statue of Rex Lapis. It was a long walk, but the roads were safe thanks to the adepti roaming the lands who purged it of evil—or so the elders said.

When you reached the dilapidated statue, old Granny Ruoxin immediately began a lecture that went in one ear and out the other. The statue of the Geo Archon was too tall for your tiny self to see, so you took a few steps back and stood upon a rock to see under the statue’s hood.

Perhaps it was the way the golden rays of light shone on the marble, or the fact that the statue still remained in perfect condition despite the cracks in its surroundings; but you took one look at the handsome visage of the seated statue of your Archon holding a cube, and your seven-year-old heart instantly knew that he was the one.

So you turned to the village elders and your fellow children with a large grin and proudly proclaimed,

“When I’m older, I’m going to marry Rex Lapis!”

SERIES MASTERLIST

step one: don’t go to the statue for healing

step two: should step one fail

step three

…

[pearl-blue-musings]

hi mootie 🥺💖 i saw your post and was wondering if i could send you an ask for my fav, albedo, with maybe the soulmate trope? i’m always such a sucker for it 😭💖

🥺🥹

I’ve gotchu babe

The quiet solace of the mountain side provides the perfect soundtrack to paint what he sees. Albedo sighs as he looks at his paints, unable to differentiate from the colors he has at his arsenal. He shuts his eyes and shakes his head as he furrows his eyebrows. Albedo hopes one day, he’ll be able to see the colors of all his paintings. But that would require one thing.

Meeting his soulmate.

As a knight, he knows his chances of meeting anyone of that capacity is lowered. And as much as that makes his heart lurch, he knows it’s for the best; even for someone like him. Based on the varying levels of gray, he hopes that what he paints will make sense upon the day he’s able to successfully see all colors. But right now, he’s okay with understanding the many, many shades of gray.

It is boring, he admits. And that’s why he has alchemy, and his painting, mentoring Sucrose-

“S-someone help me!”

The sound of someone screaming for help alerts his senses of helping others. He quickly puts his paints down and follows the sounds of the screaming, running and drawing his sword at the upending danger. Albedo slides down a pathway and hides in the bushes to see what the commotion was about. In his visage, he sees a a group of angry and riled up hillichurls surrounding a lonely soul. He’s unable to get a full view of them, but then uses his vision to draw the hillichurls away from the person in danger. Once the creatures are aware of Albedo’s presence, they turn toward him and he’s finally able to see them.

And the blast of color the follows.

Albedo is too awestruck to fight to his fullest capacity, something you’ve seen him do on many occasions. You’ve always seen the knight from afar, being into alchemy and wanting to learn from him someday. Your own studies had brought you to the mountain, but you were unprepared for the amount of hillichurls in your location. You were just looking for materials to create a new potion when you were surrounded. In your flight mode, you yelled for someone to come help you, unsure if anyone would actually help you. You were surprised to see some Geo vision in action. You finally looked over and suddenly your world exploded in color. Your breath was taken away and you fell. Your eyes tether back and forth as the sky illuminates in a blue, the snow a bright white, the hillichurls a beautiful coarse brown.

And Albedo’s honey golden eyes that you know you can get lost in.

Once Albedo finally takes care of the hillichurls, he slowly approaches you and extends a hand. The color of your eyes takes him aback and he can’t help the rush of red that dons his cheeks. You take his hand and he pulls you up. For what feels like minutes, the two of you just take in each others appearances with wanderlust gazes. He smiles gently at you and interlocks your fingers.

“It appears we are soulmates. I look forward to getting to know you, all of you.”

[highfears]

━ 𝐆𝐄𝐎 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐀 moodboard three

day five of the twelve days of moodboards

[cottonkendi]

Betrayal | 2

MASTERLIST

Kunikuzushi x Reader

Word Count: 1.9k

Genre: Fluff

Warning: None

Synopsis: Our beginning

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

a/n: we finally have our innocent kunikuzushi~ he’s so cute~ </3 he’s a bit different from the scara that we usually see in game, i’d like to think that he was this scrunkly and cute before he was betrayed and all that kskkks (if anyone wants to be tagged, you can always ask~ i’m always open for such requests and if you guys have any thoughts about the stories kskksks <33)

The country surrounded by lightning...

One foot on the land and you can already feel it. The power zapping your skin as you look ahead, only a foot away from Morax, your arms placed by your side, feigning ease even though your finger twitches a bit, waiting for the moment that you’ll need to summon your weapon by your side. 

You can never be too cautious when in the territory of the deceiving kitsune. 

“Morax, (Y/N). Welcome to Inazuma.” 

You bow your head a bit in respect to the electro archon and her familiar while your archon offers them a sombre smile, his words of comfort spilling from his lips so naturally that you easily tune it out of your senses, instead, you focus on the third new presence. 

Unlike the electro archon and the kitsune, this one is quite… innocent. 

Like they haven’t been alive for too long. Blood as pure as a child. Memories never tainted with the gore and angst gifted to every person that you closely associate yourself with. Just their presence alone, you can tell that they are delicate. 

Delicate and human, if you will. 

Before you can think of any more complex questions in your head about this new human - if you can call any of you that -, Yae Miko giggles to herself before gesturing for someone from behind Beelzebul to step out of her shadow. 

With a subtle quirk of your brow, you can’t help but admire them, eyes so bright, skin so soft and smooth, their hair silky and almost the same shade as the electro archon’s. 

Disregarding the watchful eye that the kitsune has on you, you offer the new entity a bow, introducing yourself as one of the geo archon’s loyal yakshas, all the while, the boy in front of you can’t help but blush at your introduction. Not expecting to be treated with such high regard. Especially from someone who he has heard so many war stories about from the many poets and books in Inazuma. 

How you had fought amongst Gods, even against some of them, and won. 

He can see with his own eyes how the stories and portraits that he had found in the libraries hold no match to your actual visage. 

With how you hold yourself, your presence matching that of the archons amongst you, if he had not known better, he’d have mistaken you as one of the deities. Your skin glowing despite the many scars and blemishes that littered your body. It makes his mouth gape just a little, his dainty hand subtly moving to cover his face when he hears Yae Miko giggle beside him, using his sleeve to cover his face even more. 

“It-It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dendro Yaksha, (Y/N). I am Kunikuzushi, the electro archon’s puppet and son.” 

How beautiful. 

You can’t help but think to yourself. Your gaze drifting from his intricate clothes to his face, flushed pink beneath his sleeves that continues to cover half of his face. So beautiful. 

Ethereal.��

He may have been a puppet but he could very well fit to be one of the Gods. 

Giving him a nod, you try your best to give him a small smile, lips a bit awkward after not doing such a motion for however long you can remember. But still, you try. 

You can never treat someone such as him rudely. Not only is he the son of the electro archon herself, but he has also caught your attention. 

You do not know why yet. Why a puppet created by a God would interest you. 

Maybe it’s the nature of him essentially being similar with you and Alatus. Someone who serves Gods so closely. 

Or maybe it’s the way that he may have been a puppet but with only a few seconds of meeting him, you can already sense that he is far more human than you are. Nevertheless, it is not something that you’ll have to ponder on for you need to focus on protecting Morax. 

“Well, why don’t we head back to Narukami Shrine? We can continue our conversation there. As for you two…” Yae Miko gestures to you and Kunikuzushi which instantly makes you meet her gaze, willing her to continue. “Why don’t you two explore the shrine while we converse? I’m sure that Kunikuzushi would enjoy talking to you, what with him being intensely interested in your legends, I’m sure you’ll do him a big favour.” 

You can already tell that her words had brought the boy immense embarrassment, judging from the pretty pink flush climbing up his neck and onto his ears. Though the sight of the boy is quite fascinating, you still think that such an idea would be foolish. You came to Inazuma to protect the geo archon, not to sight see nor tell stories about your history. 

Before you can protest though, Morax himself turns to you, a gentle smile on his face. “I think that would be a good idea. If I ever need your assistance, I’ll simply call out your name.” He reassures you, already knowing about your worries. It’s one of the things that you’re quite vexed with when it comes to your God. He knows you too well… 

Releasing a deep breath, you nod your head, arms automatically crossing over your chest as you make your way beside the puppet, the two of you silently following the other three towards the shrine before staying behind by the big sakura tree. 

Before you can even say anything, you feel his fingers near your neck, his soft skin feeling odd against yours as you silently watch him touch your necklace, fingers grazing over the beads, studying every detail that he could without getting too close. 

Normally, you would’ve been perturbed by such actions, not used to someone casually getting so close to you but you let him be. 

He does not deserve to be rejected for his innocent curiosity, you think to yourself. And so, you let him sate his curiosity which ended with the two of you sitting by the steps right in front of the kitsune tree. “So it is true…” He whispers to himself, voice barely there if it weren’t for him being so close to you. 

He’s quite endearing… 

A bit naive and innocent. But endearing nonetheless. 

You have never met someone such as him, he reminds you of the children that you save from the monsters that roam the land. But at the same time, you can feel that there is something more to him. Something that only immortals such as yourself can ever have. 

A dark future, perhaps. 

“And what is true, if I may ask?” You finally ask, your voice snapping him out of his stupor, his hand freezing from their place against the beads of your necklace, his eyes quickly darting to yours which only worsens his shock, rosy cheeks flushing a darker shade of his lips as he quickly averts his gaze from yours, just now realising how he had just been invading your personal space - though you have not complained at all as he did so.

With a stutter, he tries to explain. “You see… I-I’ve read your legends, I always listened to the poets that the electro archon would call upon the palace. They always mentioned your necklace… how you personally created the beads. That the beads were made from your own abilities. That you’d harden some dendro to encapsulate your enemies memories in them… as a remembrance of your journey…” 

“Oh? I never knew that such rumours were circulating about my necklace.” 

You hum to yourself, unsure of how the humans have twisted such a story. 

You may have faced tons of gruesome battles in your lifetime but you have never once wished to encapsulate something such as a remembrance of your enemies and then wrap it around your neck. 

That would just be wishing for more karmic debt to take hold of you. 

No. 

Your necklace holds more importance than that. 

Noticing the expression on your face, Kunikuzushi thinks that the stories about you may not have been all that truthful. Tightly gripping the hem of his yukata, he prepares to apologise for possibly making you uncomfortable with his many expectations and for invading your privacy, but instead, he stills as you talk. 

“Would you like to know the real story behind my necklace, Kunikuzushi?” 

Without having to think about it, he nods his head, eager to know more about you and correct the information that he has about you. 

Carefully, you remove the necklace from around your neck, your calloused fingers gently laying it on Kunikuzushi’s lap, his hands barely brushing against yours as he quickly takes a hold of the accessory. “That necklace… it is made out of the gifts that my fellow yakshas have given me. Some are precious stones, others are a piece of their weapons. A remembrance so that I won’t forget about them through the eternal years that I will endure.” 

With every word that spills from your lips, it feels like the necklace on his lap gets heavier and heavier. The importance of the necklace making it difficult for him to hold, afraid of accidentally breaking it. 

He wouldn’t want to destroy something so precious to you. 

He won’t be able to forgive himself if he did. But despite the fear, he feels something else inside him. Something foreign. He’ll have to ask Beelzebul about it later. 

Looking at the necklace, he can’t help but feel something akin to want. He wants to be someone important enough for you to add him onto the necklace… 

It’s a ridiculous thought, he thinks to himself. The two of you have just met and yet, he already feels so strongly towards you. Maybe it’s due to the fact that during the short time after his creation, he’s already been swamped with so many depictions of you. He couldn’t help but think of you with such awe. And now that he has personally met you, it seems as if his feelings have grown stronger. 

Though you only spoke when necessary, you had already enraptured him. 

You had been so gentle with him. 

So caring. 

He can’t help but enjoy it. 

It’s a first for him. What with the electro archon being quite stoic with him while the kitsune has always been nothing but a tease that always wished to see him flush with embarrassment. 

But with you, you had let him explore what he was interested in without a question. Answering his questions truthfully. And though he had noticed it quite late, he also noticed the subtle smile on your lips when you had just met. 

It was a pretty sight. 

And so, with his thoughts about you taking over, he lets his mouth spill his words, willing himself to be brave. 

“Someday, may I present to you a gift to add to your necklace as well?”

A little surprised with the offer, your gaze meets with his, his eyes so wide, filled with hope, indigo orbs sparkling as he continues to look up at you.  The mere sight of him makes you feel something. 

It makes you want to protect him from the world. 

If he would allow you to, then you would like to stay by his side for awhile, see how he grows into his own person. And as you do so, you promise to yourself that you will do what you can to protect him. 

“It would be a pleasure to receive a gift from you, Kunikuzushi."

taglist:

@salty-salty

all rights reserved © cottonkendi, 2022. do not copy or repost any of my works! reblogs/feedbacks are very appreciated~

[can-you-let-me-take-a-nap]

Flower Amongst The Waves | ༄

♡ 。Childe x Reader x Yelan

Warnings: Dub-con, spanking, bondage, interrogation, degrading, praise, good cop bad cop, reader is Traveller, gender-neutral reader, they/them, mentions of blindfolding, mentions of lingerie, mentions of other characters, name calling (reader is called a slut),reader is caught in 4k (both literally and figuratively as the word count is 4k)

.｡..｡.:*･Venom, you say? But I think you’re the one intoxicating me…･*:.｡. .｡.:

Cool metal envelops your wrists, cool as the lakes in Mount Aocang. It acts as a source of relief from the harrowing heat of adrenaline engulfing your body. The handcuffs force your hands above your head and chains dangle from the ceiling. The room is void of light and no matter how much you try to let escape the tiniest bit of elemental energy, not even a hushed grumble of geo, a faint whisper of ameno, nor a confined crackle of electro escape any part of your being. You note that the ground and the room have been heated very slightly, warming your legs sprawled in a disorganised fashion. An anomaly. This room void of light, proper windows and people, is a room intended for torture. You’d know, the Kujou Commission’s domain making sure to teach you this very lesson as you and Yoimiya went off to fight the Fatui. 

Wait, the Fatui..?

You spot the crimson insignia imprinted on the door handle, looking awfully like an empty gun barrel, through the sliver of azure tinted moonlight that creeps through the barred windows, blacked out by wiring. Although the blazing torment of humiliation licks at you, hope swells in your chest knowing that Tartaglia will free you from this unfortunate predicament. 

Speak of the devil.

A rattle of a doorknob. The creak of a jail cell. The gentle jingle of an earring against fabric. The clacking of a pair of heels.

No, two pairs of heels. 

In your vision, swims not one, but two figures. A flick of a switch and the room is dimly lit, and you allow your eyes to fixate on the bodies looming over your own.

“Comrade, I must say I’m thoroughly disappointed.” A saccharine voice matches an equally saccharine grin, “Stealing from Northland Bank and caught red-handed just a week later? I thought you fought a god?”

What..? 

“N-no, Tartaglia, you’ve got the wrong person. It really wasn’t me. I have no use for money, you know that! The Kamisato Clan paid me favourably, and Beidou gave me a share of the loot we got to keep when defeating treasure hoarders by the coasts of Inazuma. I still have most of the money you gave me when Teucer snuck into Liyue!” 

Cool yet wild blue eyes look you up and down, and your ears heat up as you look up at him from your knees. Your gaze flickers to the side of the room to remedy the sheer embarrassment of his unhinged gaze, yet you are met with feline eyes, the iridescent hue like the depths of a tropical sea. They glow in the dark briefly and buzz with an emotion that you can’t put your finger on.

“Miss, do you think we ought to deal with the Traveller?” The redhead’s voice is tinted with a sense of playful sadism as his gaze burns you even further.

The woman in question has a catlike grin blooming on her face as an idea visibly pops into her head. Her pinky-purple lips glisten in the light. “I have heard how Fatui deals with liars, though I’m sure this one is luckier than the others.” The harsh fragrance of leather and a hint of orchid wafts around you as she inspects your petrified visage, her predatory expression tells you that you are the mouse to this catlike woman: “I believe that this one should leave alive, yet not unscathed.”

A gentle yet dangerous chuckle echoes in the prison cell, “Don’t look like that, Traveller. We won’t kill you, but we will enjoy the thrill of finally hunting you down.” The words he utters are laced with an emotion heavier, muskier than bloodlust. You’ve fought and sparred with him many times, you know what he sounds like when he wants to fight. You know that he doesn’t want a duel. His words usually become more slurred and his eyes less focused, but now his voice is both teasing and as gentle as a chime of an ornament and it rivals the glazed over yet evermore intent expression on his face. “You thought we wouldn’t notice? Kameras aren’t just used for pretty pictures, they monitor the vaults and pictures are taken every thirty seconds, just to catch you in the act. Well, I would say that this image is quite pretty, seeing as you’re in it.” The eleventh Harbinger waves a piece of paper in front of your face, and a figure that looks much like yourself captures the moment of gloved hands gripping the vault handles, the metal door already half-open. 

“That’s… That’s not me..! Well, it looks like me, but I swear I wasn’t even in Liyue last week, I arrived three days ago. You can ask Beid-“ You pause, knowing that you teleported on the way back instead of taking the ship due to the many stops before you went back that would waste your time. 

“The Captain who is halfway to Mondstadt? Oh dear, it seems you don’t have an alibi after all.” The woman’s voice is mature, smooth and refined like red wine; a stark contrast to Tartaglia’s. Her expression is unreadable, but her half-lidded eyes suggest she is going to enjoy whatever she has in store for you. Her breath licks your face, and she whispers into your ear as a leathered finger brushes your hair behind your ear. “I am an investigator sent from the Liyue Qixing. The name’s Yelan, keep that in mind because you’ll be screaming it a lot tonight.”  The waves that once grazed your feet produce a huge wave that lifts your body into the sea: this emotion you couldn’t grasp, the meaning of the gazes that simply washed away and slipped through your fingers as you tried to understand them: it was lust. 

You curl into yourself a little more, cowering from Yelan who now joins you on the floor, but the Harbinger’s long fingers supporting your back from behind keep you in place. The room heats up even more and you wish that it was the temperature of Dragonspine now. “I promise I’m not the thief, you know that I helped rebuild the Jade Chamber, that Lady Ningguang would help me if I needed anything! Even… Even you would, right?” Your voice is no longer confused, but you squirm very slightly as Childe trails a finger up your ankle.

“Of course, outlander. I am always here to defend you, which is precisely why you’re going to leave with all of your limbs intact. I call it a bargain, comrade.” His hands travel to your waist and you try to wriggle. The pair chuckle as you try to escape from them.

“These chains are manufactured for interrogations, you know? You can’t escape them, Traveller. You’re welcome to keep squirming, though, it’s fun to watch you struggle.” The  woman digs her fingers into your chin when you look away from her. “Has no one taught you any manners? First you steal, now you won’t look at me when you’re speaking? Dirty brat.” Her refined drawl turns into a growl at the last two words, and she yanks your hair to keep you in check. The sharp burning in your scalp makes you hiss in pain and the gloved finger from behind you traces a line from the back of your neck to the  small of your back neutralise the hot sensation with its cool touch. Tears from the pain dot the rim of your eyes and gleam on your lashes like diamonds, and you can practically hear the sneer the young woman wears on her elegant face. “No alibi, photographic evidence, and obvious trails of geo and ameno in one set of footprints. What say you, outlander?”

“I say nothing. No offense Miss Yelan, but I’m really innocent! On the day of the robbery, I was visiting the Grand Narukami Shrine, please, if I could allow you to-“ You are interrupted by the sound of a zip and the ruffling of clothes, silk slips down your legs, along with your underwear in one graceful swoop. “Childe-!” You squeak and try to use your legs to hide yourself. The pair switch places and now you have Yelan tracing circular patterns on your bare back and Tartaglia brushing stray hair out of your face. His pink lips are pursed and freckles dot his cheeks, bold and pretty like the stars in the night sky. His dark lashes flutter at the view of your bare form. 

“You call me Ajax here, comrade. Although I have been called “Master” by the many poor souls who have found themselves within the cells underneath Northland Bank, I can make an exception for you.” You shake your head and try to kick your legs as Yelan unfurls your legs  and your behind is lifted from your heels. Her hand is splayed on your stomach, the pads of her fingers rough. “Now, comrade, why was Paimon here, and not yourself five nights ago?” His arms wrap around you in a manner akin to an embrace, but the man has your chin propped over his shoulder. His right hand laces through your hair to soothe the remnants of the sting and another rubs circles on expanse of skin on your bottom.

You feel so hot, even though the lack of clothing should make you colder, the blazing lust that radiates the bodies surrounding you have blanketed your body in its searing warmth. “Paimon-“ You start, and you jolt as Yelan squeezes your supple flesh behind you. Childe kisses a spot underneath your ear to soothe you. “Paimon was recovering from the Electro overstimulation when we faced off against the Mikoto-“ A sharp slap to your ass from Yelan prevents you from speaking, you bury your face in Tartaglia’s shoulder as you quiver from the reeling shock. “Why? Miss Yelan, I really am telling the truth!” Childe hushes you and Yelan takes her hand off the skin, likely light red from impact. You naively misunderstand this silence as a signal of her reconsideration of her actions, but another harsh spank to your other side which causes a tear to escape your eye proves you very wrong. 

Yelan digs her nails into the flesh she struck just a moment ago and you slump over the Harbinger’s strong frame, who starts to coo at your pitiful state. “Poor thing, already trembling and it’s only been a few minutes. You can’t be this fragile in the face of danger, right? Or is that strong stance just a mask for your weak self, like thorns adorning a rose? Such a pretty rose, I must add, however.”

“Pathetic. I want you to tell me exactly what you were doing at the shrine.” Yelan’s tone is condescending, as if she is explaining how to carry out a simple task such as pouring a glass of water. To this, you twitch very slightly. The Kamisato Clan may have supplied you a lot of money, on the condition that you help the head of the household, Ayato, settle the score with Lady Yae, Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, by allowing yourself to… indulge in some risque adventures with him, very close to the premises but not close enough so that Lady Yae Miko could kick you two out but could only watch or listen as he ravaged you. “I-“

“You..?” Yelan urges you on, lightly smacking your thigh, and she scoffs as she finds a hickey Ayato leaves on the underside of the skin. “What a slut, the “heroic outlander” seems to have been taken by someone else too.” You don’t want to tell her that you’ve also been “taken” or nearly “taken” by the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, the Darknight Hero, the Chief Alchemist, the Geo Archon, the Tianqian of the Liyue Qixing, the Captain of the Crux fleet, the wandering samurai from Inazuma and the housekeeper of the Kamisato clan. (Guuji Yae is awaiting your return to Inazuma too, perhaps waiting for the opportunity to dress you in the finest of silks only to rip them apart and watch you scream for her in the bushes next to the Kamisato Household, strategically placed next to the room in which Kamisato Ayato files his paperwork.)

“I…” You try to continue but your voice wavers and knees buckle when Yelan’s hand travels from your stomach to flick at your nipple.

“I thought that the Hero of Mondstadt, Saviour of Liyue and the Miracle of Inazuma would be a beacon of innocence and purity, but here you are, throwing your pathetic self at anyone you set eyes on.” She accentuates the adjective of your supposed reputation with a harsh spank.

“I-I’m sorry, Yelan!” You sniff behind the glazed wall of tears that fill your eyes from how humiliating the position you’re in is, both literally and figuratively. The pain of her words and hand only enhance the shameful heat blooming in your lower stomach, threatening to make its presence known in liquid form. 

“Aww, poor darling.” Childe gently brings your face towards his own and wipes away the tears on your bottom lash line. He places a gentle kiss on your forehead and your fingertips above your head, a predatory expression graces his visage. “Miss Yelan, you can’t be too rough with the Saviour of Liyue, they might not be pure or innocent, but neither are we. And anyways, the Traveller is too stupid to understand how much power their secret partners have over them. They’re too naive and are probably all fucked out from a single kiss to understand what’s going on. I’m sorry, angel, but I’m very right, aren’t I?” One look into his cerulean blue eyes, the colour vibrant under the moonlight, makes you realise he is not sorry in the slightest. This faux pity only makes you melt and you try to avert your gaze because the heat is simply too much. 

“I think we need to loosen that mouth of yours in order to get the truth out of you, thoughts, Harbinger?” Her cold voice clashes against the hot lilt in Tartaglia’s voice. Both degrade you in different manners: Childe with his tantalizing and cooing, which makes you feel small and helpless, and Yelan with her name calling and severe reprimands. 

“I agree.” He props you back to his original position after unbuckling his belt and handing it to the dark haired lady. 

“Count for me, stupid slut.” And seven consecutive whips on your ass and upper thighs leave you trembling and squealing. “You can barely get your words out, stop muttering.” And she uses her hand to spank you for an eighth time, and you count properly. To your relief, a “nine” on the tip of your tongue turns into an “eight” on reflex. 

“You’re doing so well for us Traveller. If you just tell us what you were doing at the shrine, we won’t be mad. I’m sure your pretty little head can’t think of any ways to escape this place, so speak up and we’ll be very gentle~” He hums, but you know very well the last time he promised to be “gentle” he nearly killed you. Literally. 

“I… Well…” You tremble like a leaf at the thought of the wrath of this unlikely alliance. If Lady Yae were to find you, would she find you in one piece? 

As if she reads your thoughts, she leans over your body and whispers into your ear, “We can always contact the Shrine Maiden, Ganyu writes to her regularly, see what she says. I hear she’s got an excellent memory.” 

“No! No need! Really!” You blurt out and Tartaglia’s fingers stop petting your head and instead rub the small of your back. 

“I’ve found bite marks on the Outlander’s thighs, some rabid fox has chewed you up. I wonder if that’s how you got the money from that rich Inazuman family. Why not indulge us, slut?” Yelan registers the fact that Ajax is extremely possessive, and she plays her cards flawlessly. 

Before you could explain yourself through small whispers and squeaks, Childe cups your cheeks with both of his hands and you can look nowhere except the eyes that were once friendly wash away and darken visibly. Cobalt blue meets teary doe eyes, and he scoffs. 

“Of all the people, that asshole? I would rather you go make out with his little sister, but him? He killed many Fatui. You are in huge trouble, comrade, and this is me done playing nice.”

And so the tides turn. 

Instead of being on either side of you, Yelan is fully in front of your trembling form and Childe is directly behind. You know he’s getting an eyeful of the red marks on your derriere and hear the little laugh he gives as he slots his left thigh in between your own exposed ones. Yelan’s hands grip your hips and force your crotch to come in contact with the taller man’s muscled thighs, a sweet smile graces her face: “Honey, it’s alright to tell us exactly what he did to you.” Her hands leave your hips and a hydro dice forms with a flick of her fingers. “If I roll an even number, you’re going to get overstimulated, and if I roll an odd number, it’ll be a miracle if you get to cum at all.” She laughs as the dice rolls across the floor.

“I prefer overstimulation: it makes the prisoner more vulnerable and twitchy. Plus, I think that sensitive bodies are easier to take control of, especially when they can barely take anymore.” Childe states, flexing his thigh to prove a point. You, of course, feel this minor action right where it’s the most sensitive. The waves are already growing in size, the pit of your stomach bubbles with anticipation and arousal. 

“Well, we’re in a dilemma because I’ve rolled a three,” the opaque blue dice disintegrates into water droplets and the young lady places her hands on your hips again, forcing them to grind on the grey pants underneath. The friction makes you whimper under your breath but the ever so observant Yelan is hot on your trail. “Feel good, love? You want more?” You nod dumbly in reply. “I see. Then tell us, did Lord Kamisato tie you up like this? Hmm? Make you look pretty and presentable?” You nod affirmatively, Ayato used the ribbon from his outfit and a few shawls from the nearby boutique to make you more helpless as a punishment for not being loud enough for Yae to hear, he even blindfolded you to make sure that you wouldn’t be disobedient. 

Tartaglia pinches both of your nipples, his breath hot and filled with fury as he jostles you on his thigh. Yelan continues to question you and control your hip movements at the same time. “My goodness me, you poor thing. Though I would do the same, I hear Inazumans like to tie their partners up with a very intricate pattern in mind.” Shibari. Kazuha had definitely made sure you knew that after a long night of drinking sake, he was gentle and loving, yet almost just as dangerous as the two fellows you’re with now. “Did this Kamisato mark you elsewhere? Any healed bruises?” 

You’re too busy moaning quietly and hiccuping back tears to verbally reply, so you tilt your head to reveal a bite mark on the junction between your collarbone and neck. Yelan’s eyes once again flash blue, and she peers over you to look at Childe. “Harbinger, let’s make a bet.”  

“Alright.” 

“If we make the Traveller cum in five minutes, this little mess can take it until they pass out. If not, they aren’t allowed to for the rest of the night.” Ningguang hadn’t allowed you cum a few times and it hurt oh so very much, but you knew that overstimulation wasn't any better through Thoma, sweet and angelic Thoma, got so over excited that he didn’t even realise he had made you orgasm three times in the span of twenty minutes. 

“Accepted!” Tartaglia snickers in glee as his knees start to bounce you up and down whilst Yelan moves you back and forth like a ragdoll. Oh how the waves crash and throw you around, how they taunt you and bully you into submission. 

“No, no please!” You gasp as Childe nibbles on the hickey Ayato left on you. Surely they wouldn’t do something so cruel and heartless? Surely, surely, they wouldn’t be so mean to you. Even Kaeya, who promised to leave you high and dry if you made too much noise in the Acting Grandmaster’s office, caved in and gave you what you needed. If Captain Kaeya can be merciful, then surely your two captors could do the same. 

Oh how wrong you are. 

“You need saving, honey? Perhaps Mr. Zhongli can come in, he’s certainly a heroic man. A refined gentleman. However I hear he demands perfect obedience in bed, perhaps you’d know, Traveller?” Her voice is too sweet, too sugarcoated, just like honey. And you, stuck in this pool of honey, can barely move as the thick substance slows your movements and time all in one go. How does she read you? How does she piece together such facts from fine fragments?

“Xiangsheng too? Who haven’t you fallen in the trap of? Next time we meet in the Liuli Pavilion, I’ll make sure to exchange notes. You should tag along, I’m sure he’d love to hear how many people you’ve opened your legs for. I spotted him buying a nice whip from Ying’er a month ago. Maybe your ass was spared by us today but Mr. Zhongli will make sure you can no longer sit.” He bounces his thigh even faster, and you see Yelan’s eyes glint cruelly.

“Really, you poor bunny, you’re absolutely drenched! You just keep wanting more, don’t you?” She lifts your hips effortlessly, and laughs mockingly at the darker grey spot on the Harbinger’s pants. The waves gradually build up and are about to crash down to lead to your climax. Maybe it’s Yelan’s lipstick staining your lips and neck, or Ajax’s bite marks decorating your waist, neck and thighs like petals.

And being the avid mind reader that she is, Yelan catches on faster than a racing stream along the Liyue countryside. She knows that you’re close, so she makes you grind further down onto him, though her grip has considerably loosened because you started moving on your own, so drunk from pleasure that you mindlessly chase it and sacrifice your ego. It’s not the first time you’ve done it, and certainly not the last. 

A sharp jolt of pleasure shoots up your spine, and you finally unravel. The waves lash into the sky and come crashing down onto the shoreline, the seafoam still there to mess with you.) Limp in your binds, a cry and sweet whispers of faux sympathy fill the jail cell along with ragged pants. The strong aroma of sex taints the room, and in the corner of your eye, you look at the photo of you robbing the bank once more. The tears of post orgasmic bliss clear away. 

“You really came at exactly five minutes, what are we supposed to do with you?” Yelan wipes your tears away with the fluffy sleeve of the  jacket draped around her shoulders and Tartaglia removes his thigh, grimacing and grinning at the same time. 

“I say we go with overstim.”

“They’re my capture, Harbinger.” 

“And this is my holding cell.”  

The words blur in your head as the moon, higher in the sky, focuses on the date on the corner of the photo.

Five months before you headed to Liyue, when Childe let you take money from the banks. That’s why elemental traces of anemo and geo were left, you hadn’t even resonated with electro yet.

They framed you. 

“B-but, the date…” is all you can say, words failing to form because your head is filled with honey and lust and want and greed, for more, just a slight touch or a sliver of attention from them, the strong and opposing waves that push and pull you apart, like a flower unfurling its petals. “The picture was ages ago… Not last week.” 

Childe and Yelan both blink at you, amused. 

“I told you, Miss Yelan, they’re not brain dead. Although they’re usually quite quick to catch on, I’m sure it’s because they’ve never dealt with two people before, it clouded their judgement.” You gape at them, the reality sinking in.

"Why..? Why did you?" You glare at Ajax defiantly, though you're not really mad, and they both know it. "What was your motive? I know you don't share." 

He pouts, feigning innocence: "You know me, I nearly drowned Liyue so I'm working with Miss Yelan to rebuild my reputation in exchange for information on what the other Fatui are up to. She caught quite a big traitor, and myself a nice raise, so we decided to indulge in something. A reward, if you will. "

Yelan nods, a small smile on her face. "He told me tales of you and your adventures. I had to see you for myself, it's only an extra I got to really enjoy your moaning." You nod at her politely, arms still above your head. 

"We're not done yet, comrade." Tartaglia's eyes soften as he approaches you, undoing his scarf with one hand and another resting on your pelvis. Something blossoms across the space and you can only gasp in awe as a riptide mark is applied, a light pulse to your groin every few seconds and a stronger pulse if he touches any part of you with infused hydro. "Let's have a rematch, since the last one was a tie." 

"Yes, the night is still young, is it not?" You feel her palms spread your legs, the evidence of your orgasm still evident. Her grin turns into a scowl of impatience and her demeanour changes once more. The hand she runs through your hair curls into a fist and you yelp, helpless.

"We never did get you to tell us what you were doing at the Grand Narukami Shrine in full detail. Why not start with that? Get to it, slut." She slaps your cheek in a way that is not gentle or rough, with Ajax to kiss it all better. 

Once again, the tides turn, and you, the flower amongst the waves, can only go with the flow…

[incognosis]

To the average mortal - Zhongli is simply Zhongli, the well-dressed, mild-mannered, and respected consultant employed by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Over the years - Zhongli has don many a countenance, but this one serves to be his favorite. As Zhongli, he is wickedly handsome - but as Morax, he is devastating.

When Zhongli sheds his mortal trappings - it's easy to wonder how anyone could ever mistake him for anything less than a god - which is precisely why he covers himself up from head to toe. While his ease of control over his own power is substantial, Zhongli does not want to run the risk of a wayward mortal catching sight of what lay beneath his sleeves - and thusly his outfit consists of so many layers.

ARMS - As depicted by canon, Zhongli's arms are wrought with geo power, turning them a deep brown-black that is gilded by sigils and veins of his element. The veins themselves seem to pulsate as if they are alive, earthen power evident in each smattering of color across his skin. This coloration runs from fingertip all the way past his shoulder, stopping a few inches before his neck.

HANDS - Zhongli's hands are special. Sharing the same colorization and traits as his arms, his fingers are tipped in finely hewn dark claws, as lethal as a blade, and unbreakable as bedrock. The gloves he uses are especially enchanted with an adepti art, carefully hiding the appearance of such talons from public eye as when his façade slips up - his hands are oft the first to go, so it's a countermeasure to any surprises.

LEGS/FEET - Maintaining the same earthen power as his arms, Zhongli's legs and feet possess the same traits. He is also wont to go barefoot when in Archon-mode.

HORNS - It's no secret Morax is akin to a great dragon, and it trickles not only into his mannerisms - but his divine appearance as well. Two great, gilded curling horns can be seen on his person when he chooses to let them out, though they are oft the last thing he allows himself to show, viewing them as a bit to primal in nature for his tastes.

GLOWY - Any bit of gold or amber hue on Morax's person will glow or pulsate, including the shades in his hair. And other things.

MISC - There are other slight tells in Zhongli's divine appearance, some that do not go away permanently with his human visage. Fangs and the brilliance of his eyes namely coming to mind - his canines are preternaturally sharp, and well, he refuses to alter his eyes. Why? Pride, mostly.

For the most part, Zhongli's divine appearance is wrapped up tight in a neat little mortal package, rarely seeing the light of day. On occasion, it will slip forth - usually in stages - such as when he is particularly worked up or excessively wounded, but otherwise, apart from being ridiculously handsome and with unusual eyes and canines, he keeps it under lock and key.

NSFW ADDITION - TBA.

[boundinparchment]

Of Blood and Sparks - XIII

Karina Alexandre of Fontaine lost her position, her family, and her Archon's favor. A dead Electro Vision is her mark of guilt. A reminder to never fail again. Faith shattered, and suspicious of the Fatui, she eventually makes her way to Liyue, where she encounters a certain funeral parlor consultant. Little does she know it's only the beginning. Original character centric; eventual Zhongli/OC. Posted originally at @chevalier-of-fontaine. ArchiveOfOurOwn || FF.net || Karina's profile

Before they departed the harbor, they made their way to Master Zhang at Zhongli’s behest; he had a package he needed to pick up first.  The blacksmith handled the wrapped object with great care and with good reason, she discovered.  It was an old weapon, Zhongli admitted, and its style of make was no longer in circulation.  

It was smaller than a polearm and he carried it gingerly the entire way through the harbor.  They passed Dugu Shuo, already well into an imaginary game early in the morning, and Shito as he began setting up for the day, pieces of jade catching the still-rising sun.  They cut under the main thoroughfare, the cluster of buildings home to the most prominent of Liyue’s businesses outside of the marketplace itself, which unfurled as they descended down into the harbor proper.

She was always so busy moving from one location to the next that Karina never realized how intricate her temporary home was.  The main gateway of the harbor rose up like the mountains that naturally cradled the city, two small sculptures of Rex Lapis in his adeptus form facing each other at the top.  Karina couldn’t help but marvel at the tall, imposing gate above them as they crossed the main bridge out of Liyue Habor.  

“I still lament having taken what is probably the back entrance into Liyue,” Karina commented.  “The giant statues were nice but this…would have been better.”

As they ascended the steps leading out of the area, Zhongli chuckled softly.  “The harbor itself is the intended way to approach but the scenic routes are not without their benefits.  You came in around Mount Tianheng?”

“I believe so.  We passed Dunyu Ruins on the way.  It was a necessary detour but it does mean we took a far less straightforward path.”

When they reached the crest of the hill they stopped and looked back for a moment.  The roofs of the buildings were perfect matches for the trees Karina could see in the distance, harmonious to one another and to the landscape into which the Harbor was built.  The natural formation of the land had been heavily considered over the years.

“Liyue Harbor was built during the Archon War, wasn’t it?” Karina asked.

“Historical discrepancies are quite common around precisely when, but yes.”

Zhongli reached for her elbow gently, indicating they needed to continue inwards.  He elaborated as they walked.

“It is said that, after a devastating battle at the Guili Assembly and the ravaging of once-prosperous land, the Lord of Geo took his people south of Mount Tianheng.  With the harbor’s establishment came the formation of the Qixing, the Millelith, and the minting of mora.”

They began the descent towards an ancient staircase, flanked by two watchtowers and a Statue of the Seven.

Back in Fontaine, the Statues of the Seven depicted the Archon of Justice holding a sword and scale, her eyes covered by a blindfold despite the hood of her Celestial robe.  

It was, apparently, common for Archons to have their full visage hidden; the Lord of Geo’s face was partially obscured by his hood too.  In his hand, he held a cube,  or perhaps it was a cornerstone or capstone.

Karina couldn’t quite believe that this statue hadn’t changed at all in the time since Morax ascended to his Celestial throne.  How many had stood here, walked past it, worshiped it?  

And how many would do so long after she was gone?

They traveled down a set of stone steps and onto the well-worn path that cut through the grasslands of Guili Plains.  Their pace was leisurely, Zhongli all the while recounting the development of the Guili Assembly, how in a time of crisis and bloodshed, two divine beings came together for the safety of their people.

“Guizhong was, in many ways, just as skilled with strategy as Rex Lapis.  With their alliance came the agreements with the adepti and others caught up in the Archon War, all vying for survival.”

The brutality of the Archon War was something she recalled from tall tales as a child.  Fontaine’s region was mostly covered in water due to the very battles that carved the land so long ago.  Children’s books were filled with fantastical pictures and stained glass throughout the region depicted the origin stories wherever they could.  It was impossible to untether oneself from the tales that were so carefully woven into every facet of life.

Eventually they passed under a crumbling archway and dirt gave way to stone, likely as old as the earth itself.  

Walls that were probably as tall as the columns were nothing more than a few stones high, their structural integrity lost to time.  Other than the central pavilion and a building in the distance, it was difficult to tell just what, precisely, used to be here.

She followed him over to a grassy area past what appeared to be subterranean munitions or weapon storage.  The face of the mountain rose and provided a natural barrier, a strategic design choice.  It was easily defensible.  As Karina peered around, she could only consider the way they came to be the sole option of a direct assault.

“This spot will do nicely,” Zhongli said, breaking her train of thought.  “It was, after all, once a sparring yard for soldiers under Rex Lapis’ guidance.”

“How can you tell?” 

Her words were rushed, unintentionally so.  If he was Rex Lapis, of course he would know.  But she only had her gut and vague parallels as evidence.  She was getting ahead of herself.  

“The grass here is of a slightly different species, one that only grows in a soil that is more dry and coarse.  Its blades are just a touch lighter in color than the grass when we first walked in.  A change in soil so distinctive would indicate either a garden or a training area; however, historians decades ago found that the land closer to Dihua Marsh at a slightly lower altitude was used specifically for farming.”

It was difficult to argue with that; she knew little of Liyue’s history outside of the mythos of Rex Lapis and the adepti.  And even then, her knowledge fell short of the mass amounts of tales.

“Would this have been the barracks, then?  Or at least more of a military-based outpost, given the placement?”

“That is the most likely purpose, yes.”

Zhongli placed the bundle he received from the blacksmith onto the grass and carefully unwrapped it.  As Karina suspected, it was not a polearm at all.  Instead, it was a blade that looked as if to be made out of the jagged cliff side of a mountain.  Its ebony and amber blade looked as if it was forged out of stone itself.  The hilt was shaped differently than the swords Karina was used to welding herself or seeing in the hands of others.

It was polished to a shine that made it seem as though it was more a collector’s piece than a true weapon.  The handle was newly wrapped, it appeared, molded just enough to be broken in. 

As stunning as it was deadly, she imagined.

Zhongli picked it up, testing the weight and balance of the weapon.  A polearm took skill she didn’t have; although she studied the sword from a young age, everyone was forced to learn different weapons.  Cross-training meant preparation, meant resourcefulness when the opportunity presented it.

Except when that opportunity was a pile of bodies made up of her own comrades.

Karina blinked and watched as Zhongli swung the blade and adjusted his hold on the handle.  After he was satisfied, he held it pointed towards the sky, golden eyes roaming the sword.

“A diamond shaped hilt?” She asked.

“It deflects an oncoming blade, rather than catching it,” Zhongli elaborated, tilting the sword slightly to catch a different light.  “It is easier to maneuver into another stance, and keeps one mobile.”

“You said its method of creation is no longer used.”

“It was created by Rex Lapis himself, so the tale goes.”

Zhongli rotated his wrist and the blade followed the gesture; he caught the sword and brought it down to his side, cutting the air with a soft hiss.

“If you can beat me in a match, perhaps I shall tell you the full history.”

Karina’s eyes narrowed.  “Challenge accepted.”

The first attack was so quick she barely had time to draw her sword and parry.  Her blade caught his the second time, only just, the clang of metal on metal ringing out across the plain.  Her footing was wrong, her balance off-center, and a slight push from her opponent knocked her back.

She hadn’t expected him to start off so strong.  Nor had she expected to be facing him with the same weapon type.

Karina grounded herself, watched the way Zhongli moved to one side, sliced, and then came towards her again with a high strike.  She gripped her sword with both hands and blocked, arms above her head.  Her muscles strained, unused to the tension from an actual fight.  She was rusty.

She gave a cry as she forced her blade forward, completing a slash across her body and putting distance between herself and Zhongli again.

He spun back and took a lower stance, the blade pulled back and aimed right at her.  She cursed her rigid military training.  Even the little experience she had on the road was reliant on her familiarity with specific styles and being able to predict moves she knew by heart.  Liyue sword technique was vastly different.

“When was the last time you fought an opponent?” Zhongli asked.

“Does a Ruin Guard and some Treasure Hoarders in the mountains count?”

“Not entirely, although both would keep your wits and muscles sharp.”

Karina blocked a quick hacking slice that came her way as she drew closer.  He blocked her thrust, maneuvered the blade around and swiped her sword off to the side, leaving her open.  It was enough space for the flat side of the amber blade to meet her chin, tilting her head up.

“Interesting,” Zhongli remarked.  “I thought Fontaine swordsmanship was more based on rapier techniques.  More thrusting than slicing.”

“The citizens, perhaps.  Soldiers have little use for a blade with all of its weight in the handle.”

Karina brought a foot up and gave a push kick to Zhongli’s torso, sending him stumbling back just enough to regain her foothold and adjust her grip.  The sound of surprise that came from the man was satisfying but she couldn’t let it go to her head.

They continued on, different styles clashing with one another.  Her lungs screamed against the constraints of her ribcage and she was acutely aware of the sweat soaking her clothes and drenching her forehead.  Karina swiped a sleeve across her brow, the thin fabric instantly collecting the moisture.  Zhongli had long since abandoned his jacket and waistcoat entirely and thrown aside his tie for good measure.

His stoic facade gave little away but he, too, was feeling the longevity of their fight.

Karina spun after blocking an attack, only for her foot to land poorly, a sharp pain shooting up through the arch of her foot.  She landed flat on her back and found Zhongli’s blade at her throat once again, the cold tip pressed against her chin.

She adjusted her grip on her sword and nicked off the button at the top of his shirt.  He took his eyes off of hers long enough to watch the button fall and expose the top of his breastbone.  She caught a quick look that told her it was best she didn’t try that again before Zhongli withdrew his blade and offered her a helping hand.

She cast her sword aside and she took it, Zhongli lifting her with ease.  

“You are formidable,” he said.  “I am surprised, however, that you are not trained in multiple schools of swordsmanship.”

Karina winced as she put pressure on her foot.  Hopefully it would be quick to heal or at least grow less painful.  Getting back home, let alone around the ruins, would be difficult otherwise.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.  I stepped wrong is all,” Karina cast what she hoped was a reassuring smile.  “To your point, we often don’t need to know more than the high guards and leveraging angles of the usual style.  We are never fighting anyone outside of our own style, if at all, and we are taught to disarm and end a conflict as quickly as possible.  Treasure Hoarders do not fight conventionally and those that duel for sport use rapiers.”

Zhongli gave a thoughtful hum and reached up to touch the bare spot on his shirt.

“Considering you were the last to strike and to use such careful finesse to only nick the fastening of the button, I consider you the victor.”

“That…doesn’t entirely seem fair.  I was on my back, exposed, open for a killing blow.”

“It takes a great amount of skill to maneuver a large blade in such a careful way as to cut thread but not flesh.  Although I will admit, it was…not quite the tactic I expected.”

After a beat, Karina said, “I can repair it for you when we’re back in the Harbor.”

“Your generosity is much appreciated.”

“It’s the least I can do, it’s my fault it needs repairing.”

After tidying up, Zhongli showed her the rest of the ruins and what scholars speculated the space to be.  There were additional ruins to the east, he said, that overlooked Luhua Pool, home to a set of watery steppes made up of mineral deposits as old as Liyue itself.

They stood on the edge of the ruins and looked out towards Mingyun Village, and Dragonspine beyond, the sun already high overhead.  Everything was still, as if they’d passed through a pocket of time itself, frozen forever in silence.  Makeshift hay beds nearby told her that it wasn’t always this quiet.  But she was thankful all the same that she got to see what remained of the Guili Assembly and its public forum.  

A space lost to time.

Fontaine built over spaces such as this in most cases.  There was no such thing as mourning when it came to innovation and moving forward, moving upward .  The oldest building she could recall was the building the Court of Mirrors resided in, the Archon’s residence at the center of the central city.  

“I can’t imagine what this was like so long ago,” Karina said.  “Anything my mind comes up with probably wouldn’t be close to its true glory.”

Zhongli was quiet, almost solemn ever since they arrived in the ruins proper.  

He couldn’t have been worn out just yet, surely?  

He fought with the prowess of a soldier, of a warrior, and knew his way around a sword, in addition to a polearm.  That he chose a sword for their match still wasn’t clear to her outside of the issue of range.  It was refreshing to have a true opponent for once, to feel the point of another’s blade at her throat to remind her of just what, precisely, she protected herself from.

Between the archway to her left, she could see Wangshu Inn, branches dancing lightly as the elevator made its course up and back down.

“Zhongli?”

When she said his name, he blinked and turned his head towards her.  His eyebrows rose just a fraction and he cleared his throat.

“My apologies, coming to these ruins is always a transcendent moment.  The people of Liyue resided here long before Rex Lapis carved out Liyue Harbor proper.  If not for the Archon War, perhaps life would have continued to thrive here.”

Zhongli’s words were heavy with a longing she only ever heard from scholars and historians.  A longing that sought comfort in the possibilities of a different path, a different destiny; a longing she was familiar with all too well.

Time eroded most of the layout proper and it was difficult to distinguish the purpose of specific spaces.  Nonetheless, love and care had gone in the planning and development, that much was clear.  Elements of the architecture were beyond purely functional and bore designs for no other reason than because someone thought it would look nice.  Simple, clean lines, but not without heart and soul.

What caused such destruction, caused a whole group of people to have to retreat as far back as they did?

“One of the final battles of the Archon War took place in the Guili Assembly.  Corrosion seeped through and took one of the Assembly’s leaders, corrupting her until nothing of her previous self remained.  Rex Lapis was forced to cut down the one person who, scholars argue, taught him how to relate to humans: Guizhong, the mastermind behind many of the defensive mechanisms throughout the region.  Her name has been all but lost to history, save those who have studied the adepti and kept track of Liyue’s rites and rituals…”

As Zhongli spoke, Karina felt more than she saw the past unravel and revive itself.  A chill ran down her spine as she imagined dark clouds, swirling dust, and a bloody battlefield.

“Between the powerful flood that swallowed Diahua Marsh, destroying anything in its path and forever changing the landscape, and the destruction of one of the Assembly’s leaders, it was impossible to continue on.  And so Rex Lapis brought the people of the Guili Assembly south and created a new region to occupy, one that was defensible without landlocking trade.”

“Where does…?”  Karina trailed off and pointed to the sword, now bundled again.

“Summit Shaper is one of a few historical swords said to have been created by Rex Lapis himself,” Zhongli said, cradling the blade.  “The other is the Primordial Jade Cutter, a gift to the Goddess of Dust, Guizhong.  It is lost to time itself.  As it should be, for it was said to be a blade of remnant grudges and needless slaughter.  This blade, on the other hand, was said to be the symbol of a promise between the Lord of Geo and his people…”

Zhongli inhaled slowly and then continued.

“In the distant past, when the gods and spirits walked the land, when all the land was in turmoil, people must have asked such questions...

"’Please tell me: where have my lover and children gone?’ ‘When will those who have departed return to us?’, ‘O great lord, how long will these horrific times persist?’

“Even the hearts of people hewn from the hardest bedrock would crack and break from the pain.  Even the eyes of those who remained silent, stoic in their unswerving faith in their gods, would begin to smolder.  Even if they did not ask such questions, their hearts would make the sounds.

“The ruler of Geo thus put forth his might and carved a long blade from a pure slab of golden Cor Lapis.  With a single slice, he cut a corner clean off a mountain, and upon it he swore a most solemn oath to the people—

“Those scattered, he would gather – and those who broke the contract, he would punish.

“Those who had lost their loved ones, those robbed of their possessions, those deprived of justice — they would receive recompense…”

Karina’s heart quivered in her chest at the recounting of the tale.  Zhongli was always a storyteller, at least to her, and the timber of his voice lent itself to the very promise the Geo Archon once gave his people.

“This is but one of the many tales of Liyue,” Zhongli remarked.  “But the solemn oath that Rex Lapis swore is nonetheless at work within it.  To break a contract is to make an enemy of this land where gods once ruled, and sooner or later, the mountain Rex Lapis cut will fall upon those who break contracts—a legend still circulates, saying that this weapon's true owner will one day return to walk among mortals.”

Wouldn’t the weapon’s true owner be Rex Lapis, Karina wondered.  Who else would such a sword be for, if not for the Geo Archon himself or another vessel of his?  Only the Geo Archon and his people lived by contracts so strictly…

“Then, this sword will once again gleam gold, and its light will cut through the greatest of this world's injustices…just as it did when Rex Lapis made his solemn oath before the people.”

Liyue bled history, Karina thought.  It was impossible to throw a stone without hitting something that was from another time, a remnant of a bygone era or a relic of a war long over.  

In the glimmer of twilight, the soft glow of a Geo Crystalfly was bright and shimmering.  

Zhongli’s gaze was glazed over again, as if the stories he told were unfolding right before his very eyes.  The wings of the Crystalfly slowed as it landed on his shoulder, paperthin wings folding and unfolding slowly, trusting of its perch.  

“Ah, these little creatures recognize mutual elements.  They flock to those with a similar elemental resonance as their own.”

She may have only had pieces of evidence but the longer the day wore on, the more pieces clicked into place and solidified themselves.  The words on the tip of her tongue terrified her.  Her heart led her astray once, to charges of treason; if she did not ask them now, however, she knew she might not have another chance.

The only way through is forward , she reminded herself.

“You’re Rex Lapis, aren’t you?”