𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 | Genshin Impact

ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛᴀꜱᴛᴇꜱ ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀ

FIFTY NINE

AT TWILIGHT, WHEN the world is partially illuminated by the sun, the stars still stand. Their burning cores dim against the sincere beauty that is the passing between night's darkest hour and the piercing glow of dawn.

Once upon a time, shards belonging to the stars would fall from the sky and rain like meteorites into the atmosphere. It was Rex Lapis himself who turned these glittering stones of the earth into devices for telling time. After all, it was for the better to teach the ancient humans about the value of every moment. For their lives were as fragile as dust.

Thinking of the word, he let out a soft sigh.

At times, Zhongli could still hear her voice reminding him as such.

Years bygone, and all that was once familiar had faded into memory, yet she still lingered like a spector. Even when no longer shouldering the burden of guiding humanity, her very image clung to him like a raindrop to a leaf.

By the time Zhongli had grounded himself from his thoughts, the remaining stars had finally faded. There was a somber glow cast off onto the harbor, which from where he stood, he could see it in its entirety.

It was beautiful. Beautiful enough to mull over ancient history for another hour without even realizing it.

Looking over the landscape once more, the man turned away from the view. He treaded down the many staircases in the heart of the harbor. Each step was careful, elegant, but with no one around to admire in silence. Pools of sunlight poured into the middle of the slope he walked through. An amber glow bounced atop his head, reflecting off the metal decals of his attire and his skin. Shadows stretched away from the former Archon, very much afraid to touch the splendid, glittering gold flowing in his veins.

Zhongli leisurely passed through the buildings without a seeming care in the world. He walked as if he shouldered no worries, none in particular that morning anyways.

But, it was because of (Y/n).

(Y/n) had at long last returned to Liyue Harbor. And along with her presence, washed away were the intrusive wonders of her well-being being so far away from the place she was learning to call home.

It honestly made him relieved, even a bit happy to know she was nearby.

And so in thinking of her, he turned his trajectory towards her home.

❦

That very same morning, (Y/n) had awoken when rays of sunlight crossed her resting eyelids. She mustered up some strength and sat up, her back now resting against the headboard of her bed. As soon as she came to a still, it dawned on her how warm both her head and chest felt. This ill feeling was spread across her cheeks and traveled down her arms. It was strange to describe, but she could feel it in her legs too; this weak, sick feeling.

(Y/n) blinked her eyes a few times. Then, she sighed. Even her eyelids felt tired and heavy.

Gently lifting the blanket away from her figure, she threw her legs over the edge of the bed. But as soon as the cold air hit her skin, (Y/n) felt a chill travel up her body.

Without thinking twice she immediately threw them back onto the mattress and covered herself with the warm blanket.

This isn't good, (Y/n) thought to herself.