NOCTURN BRIDE • genshin Impact | ✓

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

there was only one reason why the apostle was living once again. aside from the fact that she herself, was a mythical descent of the unknown god, celestia decided to make her incarnate once more.

now, everyone by now should know. well, at least those who were living, breathing and alive. god is unequal, god is unfair, god is simply a thing she couldn't compare. compare to what? well — the god of gods, the ruler above archons, celestia — held countless of selfish and cunning desires. with burning ambition to have a sort of... entertainment, to say the least.

although god wasn't allowed to interfere with mortals, it didn't mean they weren't allowed to drag someone involved in it.

yes, the apostle is a deity from above. she; someone above archons, but below god, was raised in the mortal realm. by any chance, did she breach the rules? why of course not, the apostle had did countless of things that she supposedly is not supposed to do. her hands were not allowed to interfere, her lungs was not allowed to breathe, her eyes couldn't witness — that was her duty as a deity.

however, as death came upon her, the rules didn't apply to her any longer.

naturally, celestia saw this as an opportunity. a chance graced by miracles, for she could be the new source of entertainment. they would let her live once more, with the price of making them amused.

other people could get loved unconditionally. however, only she can get loved under the condition of providing things. provide what? entertainment for the gods up above for she would become a laughing stock in the entire celestial realm? her getting tormented every passing moment for living, was it not enough?

perhaps, gods wanted a more mirthful delight. something that no one had done before — oh the apostle was sure that no one had attempted to destroy the entire teyvat.

"alatus."

as soon as her tender lips called out for the yaksha's alias, a refreshing gush of anemo breeze swept past her, fingers curled up tight against the apostle's waist as she could feel the silhouette pull her closer. the smell of sweet almonds lingered across the silk linen clothes decorated with cloud patterns.

"you spoke my name." looking up, she saw his dark hair accompanied by teal undertones brush by her porcelain cheek. "answer me, why do you persist on being so reckless?"

"i am not reckless!" with an inaudible sarcastic gasp, the apostle shook her head in disapproval. "i am simply... having fun!"

"jumping off a cliff in dragonspine?" almost as if asking the obvious, the adeptus sighed, still carrying the apostle in his arms as they leapt through the winter wonderland high up above ground. "what if i didn't make it in time?"

humming, the apostle admired the birds eye view of the breathtaking scenery. a clear mask of joy spread across her face. parting her lips, she let out a refine sigh as her hand instinctively caressed the yaksha's hair.

"but you did."

"do you trust me that much?"

"more than you ever will believe." as the apostle said that, alatus looked away from her, but she could see hints of redness on his ears. she couldn't help but grin in accomplishment. oh, the almighty yaksha, blushing? no one in their sane mind would ever trust that. "where is ganyu at?"

"we were waiting at mondstadt's capital... at the top of the cathedral." alatus stated, his eyes still diverting away from the apostle. as he leapt in thin air occasionally dashing through with vigour, lunging forward with his anemo vision, he clicked his tongue before continuing on. "until i heard you call my name. mondstadt is a foreign land for us... so it took us awhile to navigate our way."

silence accompanied the atmosphere. perhaps the yaksha would've found it slightly awkward, however he felt as if his soul was bare and naked in her company. he felt his heart flutter in enlightenment as he held her in his arms; for him, loving her was like a rule that he had broke. he, an adeptus of liyue, couldn't be selfish. alatus was satisfied with the line drew between them; it was a bond beyond marriage, but beneath mortality.

destiny told him to love her. when they were companions, the apostle was a very lively and bright person. of course, he would put it as their encounter to be destined. everything that occurred in teyvat, is following the path that god had set.

but destiny is cruel. a cruel monster. a monster that clawed his skin and flesh, a monster that made his hands stained with filth. was he destined to be a murderer? no matter how much he'd wash them in water or rain, the stains of regret could never be washed away. no matter how hard, how many time, how desperate he was to get rid of them, destiny would not listen.

this is his destiny. a story of a poor yaksha; where he could love but wouldn't be loved. he could kill but never forget. a pity, isn't it?

of course, being when he was the companion of the apostle, who wouldn't fall for her? she was strong, she was kind, she was everything that defined his perfect. although now, as he pieced the pieces together on why the apostle changed so much, he couldn't help but feel pity.

so he prayed. he prayed and longed to be her happiness, even though deep down he knew. he knew her happiness came without him.

"we've arrived." the apostle's lips parted into a smile. a vivid image flashed across her mind; mondstadt burning down. wouldn't it be a sight behold? leaping of his arms, she threw herself to the winds that embraced her. "come on! it's been awhile since i've contacted ganyu. also, thank you for the ride."

"it was an honour."

of all the people, he decided to give his heart to a girl.

a girl who would never look at him the way he looks at her.

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( CHAPTER XXVI )