____________________
I am a spirit created at the everlasting beginning,
Elevated through sacred adoration.
~~~~~
In my veins flow Her sacred blood,
That forever binds me and my kin to Her heart.
~~~~~
By Her wisdom I am found.
By Her guidance I grow strong.
By Her love I have my being.
I am the shimmering light that flows from the heart of the Creator!
- The Prayer of the Divine Heirs
____________________
It was almost sundown and the streets of the city of Chengdo were already filled with a literal sea of people, eagerly waiting for the start of the festival in honor of their visiting heroes.
Countless citizens had gathered around the main plaza in front of the city hall where the main stage for the festival had already been set up. Though the stage itself was not as grand as those found in the bigger cities in Liyue, it was still lavishly decorated with numerous colorful banners and bright lanterns!
Numerous stalls had been hastily erected around the plaza selling a wide variety of food, drinks and trinkets to satisfy the palate of the festival goers. Children wearing colorful masks that depicted ancient heroes and adepti, ran around chasing each other while their parents watched from afar.
Musicians, both local and visiting, played various instruments filling the entire plaza with a lively tune.
The entire atmosphere was filled with excitement and joy!
And right at the very center of it all were the very reason for this joyous celebration!
In the sequestered lot just a few meters in front of the main stage were rows upon rows of lavishly decorated round wooden tables and finely crafted chairs fit for high-profile guests. And seated upon them were none other than the heroes of the hour themselves, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius and newly minted Hero of the Bishui Plain Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr and her entourage!
Artoria, her five children, and her closest friends and confidants were all seated around the largest and most luxurious looking table of them all. The table itself was placed on top of a slightly elevated platform to allow the esteemed guests a better view of the stage as well as the entirety of the plaza.
The rest of her entourage, which included most of her decorated knights, the group of local and Fontainian journalists and their respective crew, and even some of the local Qixing officials led by Yanjin himself were seated on the other tables surrounding the main one.
And guarding all of them were a group of 9 Eonian Guards who opted to remain vigilant throughout the entire duration of the festival instead of feasting alongside their fellow knights.
Although the nine appeared all stoic and unmoving in their ever gleaminh golden armor, these knights were in fact constantly on high alert observing their surroundings round the clock for any signs of possible threats that might disrupt their Archon's merrymaking. The same thing could even be said to the remaining 56 knights who although wore no armor and were enjoying the festivities, were vigilant from the moment they took their respective seats.
Truly, these warriors are the embodiment of loyalty and dedication!
Then, at exactly 6:30 in the evening, the drums began to sound and the crowd went quiet as the Mayor of Chengdo, Zhang Zhi, accompanied by the city council began making their way to the stage.
Upon reaching the center, the sounds of the drums stopped causing the old Mayor to clear his throat and speak to the assembled masses.
"My dear citizens! Beloved people of Chengdo! It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to this most joyous of occasions!" Zhang stated with enthusiasm.
"As most of you already know, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate and honor the heroic deeds of our dear guests from the neighboring Nation of Freedom who about a week ago courageously defended our nation from a great tide of darkness! The Knights of Favonius and their exalted Grand Master, Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr!" The Mayor exclaimed with a proud tone, gesturing towards the table where Artoria and her entourage were seated.
The crowd immediately let out a deafening cheer upon hearing the mayor's words! Applauses and praises were heard all throughout the plaza directed at the heroes who had saved them and their nation from certain catastrophe.
Artoria and her group were so taken aback by the sheer enthusiasm of the people, that they could only smile and wave back at them in response. Even the stoic Eonian Guards were not immune to the praise as they began to proudly stand even taller than before!
"Mama, so noisy." Barbara whispered as she covered her ears.
"Indeed it is sweetie but isn't it wonderful to see that so many people here are happy?" Artoria replied with a smile as she gently comforted her daughter by caressing her head.
After a few more minutes, the crowd finally calmed down and the Mayor continued his speech.
"Though our dear guests had yet to continue their journey towards our nation's bustling capital, their brief stay in our humble city had brought us immense honor and joy. Which is why on behalf of the entire city of Chengdo, I wish to express our sincerest gratitude towards the Grand Master and her valiant knights for their bravery and heroism they had shown in our time of need! May our exalted Lord, the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis and Mondstadt's very own Anemo Archon, Barbatos continue to bless your journey, oh honored heroes of Liyue!"
Zhang finished his piece as he, the city council members, and even a large portion of the assembled crowd, bowed towards Artoria and her group in a sign of utmost respect.
Rarely do the people of Liyue give such honor and reverence towards foreigners but after all the things that had transpired back in the Bishui Region for the past few days, it would seem that the now famous Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, as well as her valiant knights, had earned their solemn adoration and gratitude!
Artoria, in response to the overwhelmingly sincere gesture, stood up from her seat and with a regal and serene demeanor, gave everyone a short yet heartwarming speech.
"Honorable Mayor Zhang, members of the esteemed city council, and to all the wonderful people of Chengdo, I, Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, would like to extend our sincerest thanks to you and to the entire nation of Liyue for the warm hospitality that you have shown to us since our arrival in this beautiful land."
"No words can truly describe the calamity that had befell upon your nation. So many lives were lost, homes forever destroyed and the wound left behind by that unfortunate night has yet fully healed. We are just visitors to this land and had no business getting involved in the affairs of this state. However, when we saw the suffering of your people and the destruction brought about by the enemies of mankind, we could not sit idly by and do nothing."
"As a Knight, as a Mother, and as a fellow 'human being', it is my duty to defend the weak, protect the innocent, and defeat those who threaten the peace and stability of our world. That is the tenet of my order and the guiding principle of my heart."
"So please do not give me or my knights more credit than we deserve for we are only doing our solemn vow to protect the people, from all those who wish to do it harm. I am but one sword amongst many that guards the world from the darkness that lurks in the shadows."
"Once again, I thank you all for your hospitality and I wish the great nation of Liyue and her people peace and prosperity for years to come!" Artoria finished with a graceful bow.
Another round of thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd as the renowned Grand Master sat back down to her seat.
Artoria was never the type to hog all the praises and glory to herself. She knew that her actions back then were done out of duty and personal reasons.
No more, no less.
But still, she's happy to see that the people of Liyue slowly were slowly recovering from the effects of the calamity and that they had welcomed them with open arms. That in of itself was more than enough to satisfy her.
'Ma...may the Lord Anemo Archon continue to guide our Heroes.'
Artoria's eyes slightly widened when she perceived a prayer, a very distinct prayer coming from a child amongst the crowd directed to none other than....her.
'May the Lord Archon of Mondstadt bless his Knights for all they've done for our land.'
'May the Anemo Archon, peer to our Sovereign Lord Rex Lapis, blew his ever free winds south and strengthened the heroes he had sent.'
'Anemo Archon - '
'Lord of the Winds -'
'Lord of the Pastures -'
'Most Free of the Seven -'
'Please, hear my prayer.'
'They...they are praying to me?' The blonde goddess thought with a baffled expression.
She couldn't believe it. Ever since she ascended to the Divine Throne, never once had she received so many genuine prayers from people outside of her realms of Mondstadt and Avalon.
So many would often use the names of the gods outside of one's own nation in passing or even in rare cases, blasphemy, but to offer a genuine heartfelt prayer of gratitude to an Archon who's not even their own, that's almost unbelievable!
These people, ignorant to the identity of the deity they are praying to, are offering her their earnest thanks through prayer and it made Artoria feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
And it made her reflect on the actions she had done ever since that fateful night against the forces of the Abyss Order all those days ago.
'Have I done enough? For someone of my status and nature....Have I done enough to help these people, especially those who had been the victims of the calamity days ago?' She thought with a tinge of guilt.
She, had always put the best interest of her people and realms in mind. Ever since accepting the mantle of Grand Master and later Archonhood, she had always prioritized the safety of her beloved nation and her cherished family, first and foremost.
She had led them into an era of peace and prosperity the likes of which had never been seen in centuries. It was an accomplishment she'll be forever proud of.
When the call of Avalon came, a world that she had inadvertently created hidden deep within the astral reflection of this world, she allowed the migration of souls to populate her newborn realm. Souls from her own nation, Mondstadters whose spirits laid in dreamless limbo in the confines of Irminsul.
By right divine, they were hers. Her people, her children, and like the mother that she had become, she wanted nothing more than to give them the ideal afterlife that they truly deserve!
An afterlife where they can live in peace and free to choose their own fate...until the time comes when they too finally choose to rest and drift towards the eternal stars.
In her time in Teyvat, she had rebuilt her kingdom and created the family she had so longed for. But most importantly, she had regained what she, and so many of her other selves had lost during their countless lifetimes...
She had regained herself, her heart and her love!
And now, that same divine heart that beats with a genuine human love yearns to protect those who have unknowingly captured her grace and affection.
'I...I can't let this go on. Those people, they have suffered enough. Supplies and aids could only bring them so far. I need to do more, I NEED to do more!' Artoria thought.
But Teyvat operates on a system governed by the laws laid by the Heavenly Principles. Laws that she knew she had already violated the moment she arrived at this world.
'I was so sure back then, that becoming an Archon would invite the ire of Celestia, and for the first few days since I took the Throne, I kept a close eye on the sky, anticipating the appearance of a disaster that might befall Mondstadt and my people. Yet, until now nothing happened. Why haven't they intervened?' Artoria pondered.
Does the ever present shadows of the First Descender (The FourShades) not care about the sudden appearance of an upstart? Or perhaps they are waiting for the right moment to strike her down?
She had always tread lightly on the path she had chosen. Carefully maintaining a balance between her divine and mortal roles. She had refrained from using most of her godly abilities, and even tried to mostly stay away from the issues and problems that plague the other nations.
....
.....
....
But she just couldn't ignore this!
Not after the suffering she had seen, the lives that had been lost! They are not of Mondstadt or Avalon...but they are people too. Men, women and children whose only wish was to live their lives peacefully!
...
Celestia be damned!
She will help them, she will bless them!
They honored her...
They called out to her...
They prayed to her...
And if she did not answer the guilt would be too much for her to bear!
"Forgive me Morax, but your people need more than what I've initially given them. Please allow me to do this. Allow me to grant them a fraction of my grace, a blessing for their mourning souls, and by my winds, I'll make sure they recover and thrive once more." The Anemo Archon silently whispered to herself amidst the jovial and loud festivities that were happening around her.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and allowed her very soul to sing.
~ Annwyl bobl sy'n llawn galar, peidiwch â phoeni oherwydd rydw i wedi clywed eich cri. ~
(Dear people burdened with grief, worry not for I have heard your cry.)
~ Gadewch i'm cân galonog ddatgelu eich calonnau. ~
(Let my heartfelt song unburdened your hearts.)
~ Bendithion bara a heddwch a roddais i chi gyd. ~
(Blessings of bread and peace I bestowed to you all.)
~ Bendithion i arwain y rhai rydych chi wedi'u colli'n ddiogel i'w cartref newydd. ~
(Blessings to guide those you've lost safely to their new home.)
~ Peidiwch â phoeni am y creithiau a ddaeth â'r tywyllwch, ~
(Worry not of the scars the darkness had brought,)
~ Oherwydd byddaf yn llenwi eich meddyliau â meddyliau hapus. ~
(For I will fill your minds with happy thoughts.)
~ Fy ngwyntoedd i, fydd yn eich cludo chi i gyd i gysgu heno, ~
(The Winds of mine, will carry you all to slumber tonight,)
~ a'ch tywys chi i gyd at freuddwyd addawedig lle byddwch chi i gyd yn cael eich aduno heno. ~
(and guide you all to a promised dream where you all will be reunited tonight.)
The song that she had composed from the depths of her soul, weaved with the blessing she had wholeheartedly imparted, wasn't sung out loud nor was it meant to be heard by others of the mortal realm. It was a song that transcended the veil of reality, and carried throughout that night by the gentle blowing winds under the orders of its divine mistress.
Artoria just sat on her lavish seat, eyes closed and looking all serene and composed, yet for those who've been imparted by the grace of divinity, namely her children, her friends and her knights, all silently looked towards the still seating goddess who appeared to be on a state of gentle mediation.
Her five children; Jean, Beidou, Barbara, Bennett and Venti, godlings and heirs who were seated right next to her instinctively turned their attention towards their mother even as Mayor Zhang continued his rhetorical speech at stage.
They do not know why, but something within them compels them to look at their mother in silent vigil. They could feel something in the air, something magical. Something that they believe only their beloved mother can do.
'Mama's magic.' Little Barbara, silently pounders as she gazes in awe upon her mother's meditative state.
The Divine Tree sways, and her saplings who senses the change follows.
The Eonian Guards and Commander Yuan, as well as Varka, Crepus and Melisa straightened their backs as they felt the air around their Archon shift into something mystical and pure.
And though the people of Chengdo could not physically see the miracle that was unfolding right before their eyes, most of them, especially the ones who had just prayed were suddenly struck by an unexplained feeling of peace and hope.
And they weren't the only ones who felt it, for at that very night, most who dwell within the lands north from the city including the neighboring region of Bishui experienced a once in a lifetime miracle.
*****
Xiao who was perched on top of the Haifeng Hotel overlooking the festival below, knelt on one knee and bowed his head as he felt the unmistaken presence of his exalted Lady being carried up north by the winds.
"My Most Honored Lady. My Most Revered Benefactor. May your song reach the hearts of those you had chosen to bless." The Yaksha whispered.
*****
(On top of Mt. Aocang, deep within the heart of Minlin)
"Strange. One can't hear it but there's something unnatural present the winds." Cloud Retainer wondered as became aware of the subtle changes in the winds blowing north from the south.
"Thankfully, One can surmise that this current does not harbor any tinge of malice. In fact, it even feels quite pleasant to the soul."
"Master, is something wrong with the wind?" A small girl with pitch black hair wearing a pristine orange and red colored dress laced with red strings suddenly asked her avian mentor.
"Nothing to be concerned about young Shenhe. It's probably just the work of one's own adeptal colleague somewhere in the south. Though as for the identity of one such colleague, One cannot say." The ancient Adeptus replied.
Both master and disciple continued to observe the strange wind current that blew over them as they gazed back towards the south.
____________________
(Chihu Rock District, Liyue Harbor)
Liyue Harbor is the capital of Teyvat's most economically prosperous nation.
A city that stood for thousands of years, unrivalled in grandeur and filled with wonders coming from all over the continent.
An economic powerhouse that stands as a living testament to the unending blessings of its Sovereign Archon, Rex Lapis.
The City itself never sleeps, with people from all walks of life coming to and fro. From the docks of its vast harbors to the busy streets of the Feiyun Slope District, many can be seen partaking in the Harbor's famous nightlife, spending their hard earned mora in the numerous recreational establishments the city has to offer.
One such establishment, famous across the city's most populated district, Chihu Rock, is The Third-Round Knockout. A bustling rustic tavern known not only for its wide assortment of wines and ales but also for its country-folk music and story-telling.
"And alas the venerable Geo Lord, alongside the adepti, led the survivors of the Guili Assembly southwards past Mt. Tianheng where they eventually found a hidden cove nestled between the mountains and the sea!"
"Thus, upon seeing the majestic site, the almighty Rex Lapis declared to his people, 'Here we shall make our new home! Let us build a city where the fruits of our labors shall be a testament to our perseverance and the strength of our new union!'"
"And thus, Liyue Harbor was born!" The resident story-teller of the tavern, Iron Tongue Tian, enthusiastically finished his tale, much to the enjoyment of the audience who were listening.
Applauses and hoots were heard all over the tavern, especially coming from those who've already succumbed to the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
"A Toast to...to our esteemed Archon! Our Lord Rex Lapis!" A drunk porter shouted as he raised his glass towards the heavens.
"Aye! To Lord Rex Lapis!" His drinking buddies joined in unison as they too raised their glasses in the air.
"Hahahaha! An astounding story as ever Master Tian, but we've already heard that same legend a dozen times before! Surely everyone in the city had already known about the founding of Liyue Harbor!" A young man, wearing a well tailored silk jacket, teasingly stated.
"Yeah, but not only that, but some of us have even heard rumors coming from the guys who run the Yinyuan Hall. Rumors that stated that Liyue Harbor wasn't even built by Rex Lapis!" Another patron declared as he took a sip from his cup.
"What?! Blasphemy! I've heard of no such thing! I tell you, that's just a bunch of nonsense coming from those salt-obssesed quacks of Yinyuan Hall! Hahaha!" Another customer shouted.
"But it's true! There were even rumors that our city was originally the home of a rival god that was slain by Rex Lapis thousands of years ago!" Another added.
Things got heated up as several customers inside the tavern began to argue about the legitimacy of the rumors pertaining to the founding of their city and nation. It got so bad that Iron Tongue Tian had to jump from his seat and intervene before the entire argument devolved into a full blown brawl!
"ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" Tian shouted with his stentorian voice causing everyone to suddenly stop.
"Hmph! In all my years of story telling, never have I encountered patrons as rowdy and as uncouth as you lot!" The veteran story-teller chided.
"Legends are often vague in their telling, but they are also the foundation of our heritage! Now I've told you all the same stories, the same legends that had been passed down from my ancestors since time immemorial and I'm not gonna let a few drunken buffoons such as yourselves besmirch them!"
The crowd grew silent as Tian continued to scold them. They knew how well respected the man was with regards to his craft. After all, his tales had enthralled them for countless nights.
"But I myself would be a hypocrite if I do not acknowledge the fact that the official legends may not be entirely accurate as one may think. It would be right to say that there are some other untold stories and secrets from ages past that our ancestors had kept away hidden from the general public. Stories that might shed new light into some of the mysteries surrounding our history."
Tian then placed a hand underneath his chin as he recollected the numerous stories he had learned throughout his career. Stories that were all contradicting the established norm yet nonetheless bizarre.
He acknowledges the fact that even with his years of experience, he himself hasn't yet grasp the full picture. There are still so many things he has yet to learn about the past, gaps in antiquity that only a select few would know. Hence, he would often add some of his own personal twist into his tales in order to make them more coherent.
The stories of the present might be just morsels of the truth about the past.
Then suddenly a brilliant idea struck his mind. Why not ask someone who had a fairly extensive knowledge about the bygone age? Someone who could clarify the facts from fiction!
And he had the exact patron in mind!
Tian, with a smile, turned towards the far end of the tavern where a lone sophisticated looking man was silently drinking a cup of osmantheus wine. In his excitement, the renowned story teller called out to the said patron.
"Master Zhongli! If you be so kind, could you perhaps clarify to these folks about the real history behind the founding of Liyue?!"
Everyone turned towards the lone customer drinking at the corner, and they all went silent when they recognized who he was.
Mr. Zhongli, a man who appeared to be in his twenties, is a well renowned consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. According to rumors, he was a protegee of the Funeral Parlor's 75th director, Old Hu and was invited by his old mentor to work as an advisor for the institution. The man's knowledge was said to be almost encyclopedic in nature and his insights about Liyue's culture and history had saved so many families from making numerous embarrassing mistakes during their ancestor's burial rites.
He was a regular customer of the Third-Round Knockout, a fact that was considered an honor by the Tavern's management.
"Hmmmm? Master Tian, I'm afraid I've failed to hear your question. Could you perhaps repeat it?" Zhongli asked with a refined voice.
Iron Tongue Tian, noticing that he had garnered the consultant's attention, repeated his request.
"I was wondering if you could give the other customers here, an almost accurate retelling about the history concerning the founding of our city and nation, Master Zhongli. I believe your insights will clear up some of the misconceptions the people have about our past." Tian stated.
Zhongli stared at the story teller for a moment before turning his attention towards the other patrons who were all looking at him with anticipation. He sighed and gently placed his cup on the table.
"Very well, if you insist. But please keep in mind that the records of the past are not perfect. Some of what I shall impart are but mere fragments of stories and legends that were corroborated by some of the most ancient texts that I've perused throughout the years." Zhongli clarified.
The consultant then stood up and began walking towards the main podium where Tian and his musical troupe usually performed.
"There are many legends and myths surrounding the founding of Liyue Harbor. Some speak of an ancient warlord that Rex Lapis had slain in order to establish the nation, while others say that the Archon's adepti fought and defeated a giant sea monster that once dwelled within the harbor. Though the most popular one of all would be the one that Master Tian had narrated earlier, about the Geo Archon and his adepti leading the survivors of the ancient Guili Assembly southward towards the very bay that this city now stands."
Each tale, each iteration had its own merit, though at this point it would be hard to fully claim which among them is closest to the truth.
Zhongli paused and a fond smile appeared on his face.
"Though personally the one that I'm most fond of is a story that's quite obscure that I doubt any of you would have even heard about it."
Everyone inside the tavern became even more intrigued by what the consultant had just said.
"What story is that Mr. Zhongli?" Chef Mao, the owner of the adjacent Wanmin Restaurant, curiously inquired.
"Does the story involve a dragon? I've heard from a friend that the first Liyuens led by Rex Lapis had to slay a dragon before founding the harbor!" A son of a patron asked with excitement.
Zhongli chuckled at the barrage of questions that was thrown to him.
"No, none of that, my dear listeners. It's a story that I once read when I was but a teenager. A story written within an ancient text that I so happened to discover amongst the old ruins near Mt. Tianheng..."
"....And the story goes like this..."
"Thousands of years ago, in a distant age lost to the sands of time, in the era where gods had not yet fought one another, the great city that would later be known as Liyue Harbor started as nothing more thana small fishing village, safely nestled between the mountains and the sea."
"That small village was home to many people who sought refuge from the then dangerous wilds of the land that would later become the nation of Liyue. But at this point, many of you might be wondering, if many of the people living there were refugees then who was responsible for gathering those people and establishing the very foundations of that village in the first place?"
Zhongli paused once more and gave everyone a mysterious smile before continuing his tale.
"Well, according to that old text, it was none other than Rex Lapis himself, still in his youth -"
Zhongli was caught when the patrons once again began to cheer at the mere mention of their Sovereign Lord's name.
'Seriously, there's no need for all of you to give me such high praises. It's kind of embarrassing.' Zhongli thought as he patiently waited for the cheering to die down.
"Like what I've said it was a young Rex Lapis who established the village....but he was not alone, for the village, according to the text, had another founder..."
The entire crowd went silent.
Another founder?! For countless of years, the people had mostly believed that Rex Lapis was the sole founder of Liyue Harbor. No matter the iteration of the story, Rex Lapis would always come as the sole founder of the nation. So who was this other founder?!
Zhongli meanwhile just gave a nostalgic smile at his audience's confusion.
This was a story that he's willing to impart to them. A tale stripped of most supernatural and personal content in order to deceive the laws of this world...
This is all that he could do...
The only thing that he could do… in order to preserve her memories.
To keep her story alive in the collective consciousness of the people....their people.
The truth of her existence had already been purged from this world....
And, it was all his fault....
'It should have been me, not her... It should have been my burden to take.' Zhongli bitterly thought.
He took a deep breath and began retelling his story.
"Rex Lapis was not alone when he founded that village, in fact he had a companion. His...most cherished companion.... according to the text that is." The consultant stated.
"The Lady of the Dust, Guizhong?!" A young waitress suddenly tried to guess, swooning over the idea of the ancient goddess that so many had romantically linked with their divine lord.
Zhongli almost flinched at the name.
"Ah yes, the Lady of Dust. You are correct my dear lady. She was indeed one of our Archon's treasured companions, but she is not the companion I was referring to."
Everyone became even more confused.
The only known close companion of the Geo Lord besides the adepti, was the Goddess of Dust, Guizhong. The woman who alongside Rex Lapis founded the city state of the Guili.
If it was not her then who?! Who was this allegedly mysterious co-founder?!
Zhongli proceeded with his tale as he himself tried to suppress the wistful memories of his past.
"Unfortunately this companion's name wasn't written in the text. It did however establish that it was a female and the story referred to her by the title 'Ningshi Xingkong de Xiannu' or 'The Fairy who Gazes upon the Stars'."
"Ningshi Xingkong…de Xiannu?" The same young listener from earlier tried to pronounce the ancient and strangely mouthful title.
"Is she like one of the adepti or another god who's close to Rex Lapis, Mr. Zhongli?"
"She's not an adeptus my dear child. The text in the opening paragraph clearly stated that the events that were transcribed within its pages happened long before the age of the adepti, during the time where humanity was still at its infancy. From what I could gather she's more akin to that of a god or a higher form of elemental being hence the title in her name 'Fairy'." Zhongli answered adding some mystique to the story of his dear beloved friend.
"According to the legend, both the Lord of Geo and Fairy who Gaze upon the stars were close friends who travelled across the entirety of the ancient world. After years of journeying across many ancient nations, the young Lord of Geo and his companion decided to finally settle in. They've chosen a place near Mt. Tianheng, a place where Rex Lapis was rumored to have first descended from the heavens, as their new home."
"Initially the two built a small sanctuary for themselves where they could live out their lives in peace but soon enough, their presence had attracted the attention of people… refugees, some even outcasts from their respective homelands."
"Feeling a profound pity for the poor souls who had unexpectedly wandered into their abode, the ever radiant Fairy convinced her stoic companion (yes, the text clearly stated that the young Geo Lord was a bit stoic) to allow these people to live alongside them. Soon, with the help of the Fairy's magic and the Geo Lord's elemental power, a seaside village began to emerge from the once quiet coastline."
A smirk soon began to appear upon Zhongli's lips as if he recalled a slightly amusing event.
"However, they soon encountered one crucial problem after they placed the last stone brick to their newly built village. And do you know what the problem was? The problem was that the two of them couldn't decide a name for that village!"
Laughter immediately rang out amongst the gathered audience as Zhongli paced back and forth across the stage adding more to the jovial tone that was already present.
"Now, I'm sure that most of you are already aware of the meaning behind our nation's name, Liyue? It's been taught to us as children and it's also been stated in our archives that about a few decades ago during one of the previous Rite of Descension, a Qixing member had personally asked the Lord of Geo about the meaning behind the name and sure enough, Rex Lapis himself confirmed that the name meant 'Glazed Moon'. Surprisingly, the ancient text had also touched on the subject matter, though with a somewhat amusing twist."
There was a bit of underlying amusement in the consultant's voice when he said those words. It was almost as if he was barely containing himself from letting out a chuckle.
"After finishing the last house, the Fairy and the Lord of Geo began to argue with one another about who gets to name the newly established village! The Lord of Geo wanted to name the village 'Li' which meant glazed referring to the orderly symmetry he had crafted for the village. While his companion, the ever radiant Fairy, wanted to name it 'Yue' which was a word that describes the moon, for they had finished building the village just as the full (eternal) moon had risen above the eastern horizon."
'Heh, thinking about it now, we were both quite foolish back then, arguing for almost 4 hours straight on such a simple matter!' Zhongli mirthfully thought.
'But alas, she grew famished and as a last resort, she used those dreaded 'Puppy Eyes' of hers against me, causing me to fold instantly!'
"Then what happens next Mr. Zhongli?" Chef Mao curiously asked.
"Well as you would have guessed, the two friends settled on a 'compromise'. They combined the two names and thus the name Liyue was born."
*****
(Flashback: Thousands of years ago)
"Alright already! We'll merge both names and call this village Liyue! Are you happy now?!" A young Lord Geo sighed dejectedly as his blonde haired companion began tap-dancing in victory in front of him!
'Ugh….the things I do for you Altria!' Morax could only bow his head in defeat as Altria turned to the assembled crowd of villagers and confidently proclaimed the official establishment of their new home.
"Hey everyone! After much deliberation, its been decided that from this day onward, this little home of ours will be called Liyue! Let's all work together and make our home even more beautiful!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd as the people began chanting the names of the two beings they now look up to as their newest overlords. The two benevolent gods (?) who found them and gave them a new home and a new start. At that very moment, they, thefirst Liyueans, pledged to forever honor and remember the kind act of these two benevolent rulers.
As the people continued to celebrate, Altria noted that her best buddy Morax had once again begun sulking at the corner. She approached him and gently touched his shoulder.
"Hey, Morax?"
Morax hesitantly looked up and was slightly taken aback when he saw the very sincere and almost innocent expression plastered on Altria's face!
"Morax?"
"Ye…yes Altria?" One could almost hear the trembling tone underneath his voice.
'Why…why is my heart beating faster again?!'
"Morax, we're friends right? And we promised to always take care of one another right?" Altria now sounded like a demure maiden as she began batting her eyelashes towards the now near catatonic Heaven's Star!
"Ye..yes Ria, we….we promised to…to stick out for one another!" Morax visibly swallowed as he tried to properly convey his words.
Altria began closing in on the poor deity.
"Momo, could you -"
'This is it! This is what you have always dreamed about! Focus Momo...I mean Morax! FOCUS!' Morax tried to hype himself up for what is to come.
"Could you - PLEASE PREPARE ME SOME DINNER? I'M STARVING!"
...
...…
...
Morax faintly heard the sound of porcelain shattering in the background as he flatly stared at his now blushing companion. A companion whose gut is more akin to a near bottomless black hole than a stomach!
"Ugh…why did I get stuck with the likes of you the moment I descended from the heavens?!" Morax whined at Altria as the girl began muttering the word 'ehe' while awkwardly scratching the back of her head.
"Well don't blame me for that, oh mighty Mr. Heaven Star! Blame yourself for possessing zero RIZZ factor! I don't know what weird sorcery it took to make you but clearly your creator did not include the all important RIZZ! If you were born with that all important trait then the ladies would already be swarming all over you and you would have a harem to accompany you in your journey instead of little old me!"
Morax felt like boulders were being suddenly dropped on top of his head as he heard the unabashed statement that came out of his friend's mouth!
'What nonsense are you talking about?! But more importantly, I don't even want any other woman other than -' Morax's thought was suddenly cut off when Altria swung her hand over his shoulder and looked at him with a cheshire-like grin that sent shivers over the poor man's spine!
"Now my Rizz-less Momo, about that dinner…"
Morax once again sighed in defeat as he began to accept his unfortunate fate.
"Yes, 'your majesty' I'll prepare your supper."
"Finally! That's what I'm talking about! Common Blockhead, the kitchen awaits!"
Thus the woman that would soon be remembered by the village's first citizenry as the 'Mother of Liyue', began dragging the man that would later be known as the 'Father of Liyue' into their cozy seaside abode.
(Flashback ends)
*****
'Hmmm..I wonder, if I now possess that so-called RIZZ factor you once mentioned Ria.' Zhongli allowed himself a brief moment of respite as he fondly remembered that awkward yet crucial memory from his past.
The disguised consultant then gazed upon the open window of the Tavern and saw the numerous lanterns that illuminated the streets of the city.
He began to wonder…
If his dearest friend was still 'alive' right now, would she be happy to see that their once peaceful little seaside home had now blossomed into the nation they've always dreamed of?
'You've always wished for Liyue to grow into something more than just a small fishing village Ria -'
Alas, his train of thoughts was cut short when suddenly an unabashed drunken rambling was heard out from the crowd.
"BULLSHIT! I ca…call that bu…bullshit! There is no way that story is ever real! Liyue Harbor is a nation built under the strength of the Geo Archon and his almighty servants! There is no way in hell that some idiotic little fairy who likes to stargaze was capable of standing in the presence of our exalted Lord, let alone founded this city alongside him! Heck I'm sure everyone here would agree that Rex Lapis wouldn't even dare look upon such frail creature and declare her as a worthy partner of sorts!" A drunken sailor who had already drank more than 13 mugs of ale began spouting nonsense ruining the perfect atmosphere Zhongli had established for his story.
"SIT DOWN YOU FOOL! We all have our own perspectives with regards to the authenticity of legends we hear but I will not tolerate any more insults thrown towards the esteemed Master Zhongli!" Iron Tongue Tian vehemently berated the inebriated drunk.
"Oh, yeah? We'll see about that -" The sailor's tirade was cut short when he was struck by an iron tray at the back of his head courtesy of a passing waitress. The rumbling drunk was instantly knocked out, falling face first on the hard stone floor.
"Don't worry Mr. Tian, we will make sure that his captain knows the 'interesting deeds' he has done tonight." Some other sailors began hulling the unconscious drunkard out of the tavern, preventing further issues.
"Mr. Zhongli, on behalf of everyone present I sincerely apologize for that man's rude behavior." Iron Tongue Tian bowed his head in front of the consultant, who although may look all calm and composed was actually trying hard to hold back his anger!
'Calm yourself Morax. There's no need to lash out. Remember who you are and what your position represents.' The Lord of Geo kept reciting these words inside his mind over and over again like some sort of mantra.
"It's alright Master Tian, there's no need to worry about such 'minor inconvenience', but alas my time grows short and I still have matters to attend to back in the funeral parlor." Zhongli calmly replied, betraying his actual disposition.
In reality the drunkard's impromptu squabble had already greatly soured his mood. At that moment, the Geo Archon wanted nothing more than to leave the tavern's premises and take a leisurely walk across the city, lest he succumbed to his own anger and strike down the drunken fool with his own spear!
He….hated it. He had always hated it when someone disrespects her. May it be directly or indirectly…
'But alas, who else could have still remember her in this day and age? Aside from myself and those mages, her memories had been forever erased from this world…. she's already gone, and it's all my fault.' Zhongli bitterly thought to himself as he walked out through the tavern's door.
The guilt brought about by his own weakness and failure thousands of years ago had been constantly gnawing at his heart and soul, slowly eroding him from the inside.
After minutes of walking across one of the high laying streets of Chihu Rock, the Lord of Geo came across a small park that gave an unobstructed view of the city's harbor. The park was normally filled with children during the daytime but at night it's as silent as an abandoned house.
'Perfect.' Zhongli thought to himself as he took a seat on the nearby bench and began gazing upon the distance, across the bustling harbor and towards the calm sea illuminated by the light of the false moon and the ever vibrant stars.
After a few moments of silence, Zhongli reached out inside his vest and pulled out a small orange colored pendant that seemed to glitter against the darkness of the night.
It's an ancient momento made from Cor Lapis…the very first Cor Lapis.
And it was the very first gift he had personally given to her.
Zhongli gently opened the ancient pendant as if it's the most precious thing in the world, and inside was a worn-out sketch of a young man standing proudly alongside a young woman holding a staff. Unfortunately, the face of the woman had already been erased, not through mortal means but through the interference of the most basic primordial laws that govern this world set forth by the Great Ruler, thousands of years ago.
'Awww, Blockhead you shouldn't have! What would those other ladies who had been eyeing you for sometime now say! Le gasp! Oh Momo you savage beast! How cruel of you to use your own innocent best friend as a test dummy in order to practice your wooing skills just to satisfy your own beastly desires! If Zibai ever heard of this, she would definitely smack you square in the face! Hahaha!'
Tears then began falling from Zhongli's eyes as he continued to stare at her pendant.
In a rare moment of invulnerability, the indomitable Geo Archon, Lord of Contracts and oldest among the Seven, allowed himself to cry once more after hundreds of years. His body shaking as tears continued to roll down his eyes, slightly blurring his vision.
In the silence of the night in that one empty park away from the bustling streets of the Harbor, the great exalted ruler of all Liyue wept for the only woman who had captured his heart.
"I'm…I'm so sorry Ria. I'm so sorry..I…I wasn't….I wasn't strong enough….I was too weak…too weak to oppose His will….to weak to…to…even save..…" Words drowned amongst the unconsolable sobs of a god who for thousands of years blamed himself for the apparent demise of his most treasured companion.
Rarely does he allow himself to be engulf by his well kept emotions.
He spared no pity for the countless enemies he had slained.
He silently grieved for the lost of so many of his subordinates.
He only allowed himself to shed a single tear upon the demise of Guizhong.
He's the unmoving bedrock of the land, the unyielding foundation of the oldest nation in Teyvat, yet when it comes to her…even the very thought of her was enough to crush that near unbreakable facade he had built for himself for the past thousands of years!
That's how much she truly means to him.
After minutes of weeping, Zhongli was able to slowly compose himself yet his face was still marred by the dried trails left behind by his tears.
As he allowed himself once more gaze upon the night sky, the Lord of Geo unexpectedly felt something that forced him to look north.
Something strange was occurring in the north and it was carried by the very winds that were blowing towards the northern borders of his land.
He sensed no trace of malice in it yet there's something odd about that particular gusts of wind that originated somewhere in Qiongji.
"Not an ordinary wind for sure. It carried a distinct tune of 'freedom' within it. Barbatos? Did that good for nothing bard finally woke up from his slumber and decided to galavant across my realm once more?"
Yet as he looked even further, the Lord of Geo sensed something distinctively unique about the nature of those currents of wind...
He sensed....a sort of familiarity within them….as if…as if...
Zhongli was silent for a moment before he shook his head.
"No, my mind must be playing tricks on me again."
He stood up, refreshened himself and began walking back to the Wangshen Funeral Parlor.
"Must be something in the wind, and more likely its Barbatos pulling a sort of prank on me again."
(End of Chapter)
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(The Golden Night)
- More than a week after the events of the failed Abyssal invasion had transpired, most of the citizens living in the Bishui Region reportedly experienced an unbelievable phenomenon. They reported experiencing what they could only describe as the most beautiful dream they ever had in their lives.
- Each dream varied from person to person, yet it left an indelible mark in the lives that upon waking up, they were filled with a profound sense of hope. A hope that somewhat eclipsed the fear and loss brought about by the abyssal calamity.
- The most intriguing of these reports however came from those who've lost love ones during the night of the catastrophe. They recounted meeting them in their dreams amongst the most beautiful fields of flowers they've ever seen. They've also talked about seeing an ever gleaming city of silver and gold from a distance with an impossibly tall golden tower stretching towards the heavens at its center. They stated that their deceased love ones told them that they were alright and that there's nothing to be sad anymore 'for the gates of the ever resplendent utopia had already opened up for them and for those who would like to seek it'.
- Many experts would try to debunk the event claiming it to be a widespread case of hysteria, but they themselves cannot explain the unnatural widespread abundance that coincidentally appeared across the lands of Bishui. Fields that were once barren suddenly bursting with ripe crops. Trees that were once torn down by the ravages of the invasion appeared to be alive and standing once more. Wherever one looks, the entirety of the region appeared to had been blessed by some sort of divine power, that many attributed to the Geo Archon.
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(The Lord of the Mountains and the Stargazing Fae)
- It's an ancient story etched upon some ancient looking copper sheets that were (allegedly) discovered by a young Zhongli inside some ancient ruins near Mt. Tianheng. The story talks about the origin of Liyue Harbor, and unlike most its contemporaries, it painted a more humble origin story about the prosperous trade city.
- Yet what sets it apart from the other stories, was the inclusion of another founder aside from Rex Lapis. A founder who was described as a close partner to the young Geo Lord.
- The 'original copper texts' were surrendered by Zhongli to the Ministry of Civil affairs and are kept secured inside a well guarded antique chamber.
- Many Liyue historians and experts had somewhat debunked the authenticity of the story stating that although the copper sheets appeared to be thousands of years old, there are no other existing records that could further verify the existence of a mystical fairy present in Liyue. Some even argued that the entire story was probably a hoax since the Fae are only known to have existed within the cold lands of Snezhnaya and Nod-Krai, and that the timeline presented in the text contradicts the first appearance of the Fae within the history of Teyvat.
- (In truth, the entire text was but a simple account of the birth of Liyue Harbor, created by the Lord of Geo in order to preserve the memory of his beloved friend.)
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