A True Reality

Chapter 2: Teyvat

(The 'small being' (Paimon) is the chapter image)

I couldn't remember much after opening the game, but I had faint flashes of an "Unknown God" who reminded me a lot of Cali. But that's it, that's all I could remember. 

I opened my eyes, but I felt very unaware of where I was. I felt very disoriented and couldn't focus worth a crap. I sat up as best as I could, trying to remember what had last happened before then and found a small being floating in front of me. 

"UAHHH! You're alive!" it shrieked. My mouth dropped in disbelief.

"Of course I'm alive! Did you not see me breathing?" I snapped.

"Uh, Paimon wasn't really paying attention..."

"Clearly." I brush off all the sand clinging to my outfit. "Hey, you don't happen to know where I am, do you?"

"Thought you'd never ask!" Paimon flew upwards with a flourish of her hands. "Welcome to Teyvat!" My body froze, shaking. No, no, this isn't possible! This isn't happening! 

"I'M INSIDE THE GAME?!"

"Uh, what are you talking about?" Tears started streaming down my face as I struggled to breathe. What about my parents? Or Cali? What will they do about school? Will I get home? Will I ever be able to return home?! "NEW FRIEND!" I jumped slightly at that, snapping my out of my frantic pacing. 

"S-sorry about that; it's a bit of a long story. Long story short, I'm not from here and most likely shouldn't be here."

"Well, Paimon is confused, but Paimon will just go with it. Since you're gonna be here a while, follow Paimon! I'll help you out." She flew off down the beach, and I followed quickly in tow. 

"How did you get here?"

"Well, I'm from a place called San Francisco, California. It's a pretty place, and we have a huge red bridge."

"Why such a huge bridge?"

"It's a national monument, called the Golden Gate Bridge."

"Well then, shouldn't it be golden?"

"My question."

"And as to how you got here?"

"Well, I downloaded the game, and there was a flash of light, and the next thing I knew I was here. Quite anticlimactic." I omitted the details about the 'Unknown God', who knows, I might've been hallucinating.

"Do you know why you might be here?"

"Well, my brother disappeared after playing the same game and-"

"Oh! Maybe he's here in Teyvat!"

"Yeah... maybe..." Maybe Paimon was right. I always had my suspicions, and... well... Perhaps Liam is here, too... out there... somewhere...

On the other side...

The Herald approached his king in the throne room. He was unsure of how the prince would react to the news, but he knew they had to be told.

"Yes?" The Herald pushed open the door to see his king and prince atop their thrones. "What is it?"

"My king, the sister has arrived in Teyvat." The prince choked on his drink, clearly not expecting the news.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Then you are free to go." The Herald disappeared with a puff of smoke, leaving the king and his prince alone.

"Change of plans it seems." The king turns to his prince, the prince's eyes glued to his lap. "Are you alright?"

"Are you sure?"

"Am I sure about what?"

"Are you sure about all this?"

"Yes, but we can eliminate another step." The prince sighed, unable to change his king's mind. His king gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Then are you prepared? You know she will stop you."

"I know. And yes I'm prepared."

...

"Alright then." The prince rose from his chair, leaving the room. The king was left alone with his thoughts. He glanced down at the ring, a sign of promise and eternity. A promise of eternity that he would fulfill.

No matter the cost.