stone hearts | genshin impact

PROLOGUE

"Rex... Lapis..."

"Guizhong, stay strong. You must stay strong!" Rex's hand grasps Guizhong's firmly. He's trembling as tears threaten to spill from his eyes.

The ancient god smiles faintly to her comrade, her breaths becoming heavier and heavier. Guizhong didn't have much time left, she knew this, but she also could not go until she could say her final goodbyes.

""Oh, Morax," she sighs. "I don't have much time left, but you; oh, you have such a long life ahead of you." Guizhong feels drops of wetness on her cheeks, and though her vision has gotten blurry, she knows it's Rex's tears. "Save the people of Liyue, Morax. End the Archon War and become the wonderful leader I know you can be. Lead these humans into a new era."

"Guizhong, please. I can't do this without you." Rex sobs. He never sobs; he's a god, for archon's sake. Yet here he is, pouring out his heart to his beloved companion and partner.

"You can, dear Morax. You have the adepti with you." Guizhong smiles one last time. "I'll watch you from above."

As those words escaped from her lips, the ancient god of dust closes her eyes, and returns from whence she came with a deep sigh. Her hand in Rex's grew limp, and the god of contracts could only look down in agony at Guizhong's limp form. The songs of war continued to rage on around him, yet they fell deaf to Rex's ears. He brought Guizhong's hand to his cheek, and in that moment he made a promise; to fulfill his partner's dreams and ambitions, to end the Archon War, and to help the citizens of Liyue thrive. He swore it upon his name as the god of contracts before standing up.

"Guizhong, my friend. I will fulfill your will and end this bloody war. My friend, I hope you can rest well now."

A new flame arose in Rex's heart. He summons his lance and with a new sense of purpose, he joins the ever raging battle.

Eons later...

Zhongli stares off into the distance as the Traveler and Paimon become but tiny specks among the vast valleys and mountains of Liyue. He had given all the information he could on his knowledge of Inazuma and their recent god, Baal. In his heart, he prayed for the Traveler's safety, and he hoped that Baal wouldn't cause her too much problems.

"Ah, Zhongli! This is where you've been!"

The ex-archon turns and sees his boss and new ally, Hu Tao, walking towards him. He offers her a small smile and a nod.

"Hello, Hu Tao. Do you need me back at the Parlour?"

"You read my mind!" Hu Tao smiles. "Come on, we have to come up with new ways to attract customers." She then skips off back towards the parlour, knowing Zhongli would be close behind. The latter chuckles amusedly at the girl's carefree attitude and follows her footsteps.

A weight is seemingly lifted off of his shoulders; though he is no longer Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon of the people of Liyue, he can rest easy knowing that there are many who will fight for the sake of its people, even with him gone. His life as a common man at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour has just begun.

What Zhongli didn't know was that an old friend, great dangers, and fate had a huge plan in store for him, in a not-so-distant future.