Misfortune

Fate's cruel decision

(Just to clarify, i headcannon that Cloud retainer and Mountain shaper are his parents or like family, and after his Archon duties, he was reincarnated into young child growing up to what he is now, and was also raised by Madam ping. Disclamer: THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACTUAL ARCHON QUEST OR GENSHIN LORE/STORY, this is just a headcannon)

Through out Zhongli experience of his mortal life, his archon life is still kept as a secret. After destroying Khaenri'ah and battling in the Archon war, Morax felt defeated...though he likely won, but he felt incomplete. He wanted to start all over, start a new life, maybe start a new perspective in the human life, though he can't physically die if he adapt to the mortal life but he had his second thoughts, Morax is an Archon, and has responsibility over his land. He didn't wanna upset his people and the adepti, especially Cloud retainer. Cloud Retainer was like a mother or family to Morax, teaching him the way of life and the life of a Adepti, so if she were to find out that Morax wanted a mortal life, she would be confused, yet blunt. Years go by, and Morax was announced..."Dead" to the public by the Qingxi. After the Adepti found out...they were shocked but in denial, they was no way the Geo archon, Rex lapis, Morax was dead.

Months later, Traveler and Paimon wanted to introduced the Adepti to Zhongli, there was no specific reason why, but the Adepti agree to go for a while to meet this Zhongli. The Adepti, Traveler, and Paimon were waiting for Zhongli to arrive at the Mt. Aozang, and minutes later, Zhongli arrived. Of course, Paimon was overjoyed and Traveler staying silent but nonchalant at the same time, but what really caught them off guard was the Adepti's reaction, they looked confused but shocked. "uhh...are you guys okay?" Paimon said in confusion, but they didn't respond. Traveler insisted that Paimon and  them, go somewhere farming for more Sunsettias or berries, while the Adepti and Zhongli catch up. "Morax....is that you?" said Moon carver, "....i am no longer the Geo archon, Moon carver" said "Zhongli",  "But why.....why would you leave your people, to become one of them? you threw away yur Archon responsibilities for what? to become a mortal?" said Cloud retainer. Mountain shaper remained quiet, and the silence made Cloud retainer very furious, She didn't like being ignore by anybody, especially by Zhongli, a.k.a Morax. "Mountain shaper, say something!" Cloud retainer says out of rage, "....it is not my place to say something, if that's what he wants, then let it be" said Mountain shaper, Cloud retainer frozed and stood there, staring at Zhongli up and down, What has Morax become? Moon carver stayed quiet and shookened. The time has come for Zhongli to leave, he would have to return to someone....special. "I apologize, but i must take my leave" Zhongli said to the adepti, "Morax wait!" Cloud retainer says to Zhongli. "May the you live under the Geo Archon's honor" Zhongli says to the Adepti and then leaves the area. The Adepti, mainly Cloud retainer, was shock but not surprised, well at least for Mountain shaper.

Thank you for reading this, i hope you enjoyed this, as much as i did making this:D