Contracts & Conspicuous Characters || Genshin Impact

I: Welcome to the Harbour!

The sun peeks from the horizon, welcoming the new day. You can see the Harbour a few steps from the house your group stayed in, silently thanking the archons for the shorter trip.

You can hear Aether and Paimon already bickering behind you, already feeling a headache coming, "Stop it, you two. We should head out to not disturb the couple any longer."

Doing as you ordered, the two prepare for the last hike before reaching the Harbour. You bow to your caretakers before setting off, remembering to remind Aether about the letter Katheryne had asked to send to the "Katheryne of Liyue," as Paimon dubbed her.

Upon taking a closer look at the city, you are amazed by the liveliness of the harbour. Bustling businesses, carefree children, and frenzied families, you sigh in relief to find your group traversing to the right direction. You ought to give Paimon another reward for her guidance.

Aether and Paimon take a second to admire the view as you ask the nearby Millelith guard about the Adventurer's Guild. He inspects you with narrow eyes, eventually concluding that your group is harmless. He points you the directions, and after taking note, you thank him and call for the duo to follow you. The sentinel hurriedly gives a welcome greeting to the city and goes back to his duty.

Looking around, you are mesmerized by the city's spirit. The pier consists mainly of food stalls and mini booths that especially feature in goods that fishermen and adventurers return back from their voyage.

You hear a distant voice, tone laced with exasperation, "The Harbour is extremely busy this time of the year... Hopefully my sales go up as well."

"That reminds Paimon," The fae turns to you and Aether, who looks at her curiously, "If you wanna find the Geo Archon, this is the only chance you'll get all year. Guess it's a good thing Venti brought it up earlier, otherwise we definitely would've missed this year's Rite of Descension."

"Do you know when it is?"

Paimon shrugs at Aether's question, "Might be today, might also be tomorrow. Let's go ask some of the locals since we're already in Liyue."

As you were about to separate from the group to hasten your investigation, Paimon reminds you, "About the Geo Archon, 'Morax,' it's seen as impolite for people from outside Liyue to refer to the Geo Archon by that name, so we should refer to the Geo Archon by the name Rex Lapis."

Keeping note of Paimon's warning, you look around for people inviting enough to talk to when you bump into a salesperson, "Careful there!"

You massage your head as you look towards the salesperson. You bumped into them, so you might as well ask, "I'm so sorry, I didn't notice you. Do you perhaps know when the Rite of Descension takes place?"

They laugh, "You too wish to bear witness to the Rite of Descension? Me too, we all do! As a businessman myself, how could I not take interest in Liyue's most important business trends? The seventeen predictions given last year made more than a few ripples throughout the industry."

They lean towards you, as if afraid to get caught spilling a secret, "What's more, there has been a rumour going around that the Tianquan herself, Ningguang, has been acting secretly in the shadows. She wants the rocks created by Geo Vision holders to be exempt from taxation."

You raise your eyebrow in suspicion, "That's some professional... legal stuff."

The salesperson cackles, "To be on the pulse of the predictions and the market is what makes this harbor what it is. Among The Seven, Rex Lapis is the oldest deity. His keen sense of strategy is well trusted among his people. Understanding the predictions as soon as possible can make all the difference in making your fortune!"

"So where can I see the Rite?"

Your informant shakes their head, "You're not at all close. Not to mention that if I gave you directions, as an outlander, you'd get lost along the way. Better head to Yujing Terrace—the high ground. It's the highest place in the harbor—sounds like the best place for trying to communicate with deities, no?"

You give them your thanks and look for your companions. When you see they're no longer in the wharf, you start making your way towards the Terrace the salesperson mentioned (albeit the help of a kind Millelith guard who's glad enough to show you the way) and spot your friends talking to one another.

"Aether, Paimon! There you guys are."

At your mention of their names, the two turn towards you, waving. Paimon informs you that she and the blond plan to make a wish by the censers, inviting you to wish along. You burn an incense and wrap your hands around it, silently praying to the archons to help you with your journey with Aether and Paimon—and an even quieter prayer about your parents' whereabouts and their conditions.

Once your group finishes praying, you follow the crowd, waiting for the Rite to begin. You notice a woman with two other women beside her—assuming her assistants—elegantly turn around and face the crowd with eyes closed. Her long, platinum blonde hair cascades down her back akin to silk, some of which form a bow. Her black hairpin and red forehead tassel gives a cherry-on-top to her look. You're captivated by her graceful stature, her authoritative aura eminent from her clothing, her Geo Vision, to her piercing gaze. You presume she's someone of high authority in Liyue—the Tianquan, was it?

She looks up to the sky, hands covering her ruby orbs from the harsh sunlight, seemingly confused, then looks back down at the masses. You watch her scan the crowd, her eyes eventually falling towards your direction. Her lips quirk up a little as she winks. You clasp your face on your hands, hiding your reddening face. Aether glances at your direction with confusion written on his face.

"The hour is upon us." Her voice booms, successfully silencing the assembly.

She activates her Geo Vision—four glowing rocks suddenly appearing, circling around her. She aims the rocks to the huge altar behind her and brings her other hand to signal the rocks to be inserted in the altar. A bright, golden beacon shoots up towards the heavens, and the clouds start to form a miniature tornado. The sky quickly turns dark, and soon after, a creature you assume is a dragon collapses, crashing on top of the altar. The crowd collectively gasps—you included.

You watch the woman approach the dragon, and after further inspection, she stands up hastily, "Rex Lapis has been killed! Seal the exits!"

The Millelith quickly swarm the Terrace. You cast a brief look at Paimon, a swarm of emotions imprinting her tiny face, "Did she just say Rex Lapis... the Geo Archon... is dead!?"