Genshin Impact: The Realm's Delight

Special Chapter: Secret meeting (I)

A/N - I was thrilled when I finally finished to write this tale, only to find out that there already exists an Oak Tree in the Genshin universe. Apparently the tree in Windrise in Mondstadt is an Oak Tree. But fortunately I managed to find a picture of an Oak Tree that is different from the one in Mondstadt.

Somewhere in Liyue

? POV.

It was a nice breezy day.

The leaves on the only Oak Tree to ever exist here in Liyue, gently rustled in the wind.

And a grave beside it, but that is a story for another time.

There's even a tale about this Tree that has been told in Liyue for a little more than 500 years now.

Both among Gods and Humans.

Unlike any other tale, this has never been interpreted differently; somehow it has always stayed the same.

Unchanging.

One day on the Eastern side of Jueyun Karst

A small sprout, usually born from a hard shell

Grew into a large Tree

Neither the Adepti nor the Mortals from Liyue

Have ever seen a tree so magnificent

Both Evergreen and Crimson leaves enriched the branches

They were growing in the most beautiful spiral pattern

With no branches growing from the same node

No matter how many times one saw it

It would always take their breath away from such beauty

The Six of the Seven claimed that this Tree

Was the symbol of a new beginning

Not only for this phenomenon by Gods and Mortals

But also for Halphas, who was brought into the world

It is rumored that the time that it took for Halphas

To be shown to the world

Was the same amount of time it took for the Tree to grow

And that the Tree is closely connected.

To Halphas

As close as Fate itself.

Maybe it is because the Tale was written by the Anemo Archon himself.

He who understands the meaning of verses passed down through time.

Talking about that certain Archon he should be here by now.

It was him who initiated this meeting in the first place.

Like humans say, ''Speak of the Devil'', a stronger breeze suddenly hit my back.

As I turned around, I saw the one I've been waiting on.

''It is peculiar for you to suddenly seek me out out of the blue.''

'''Hph, already jumping straight to the point. Why not enjoy some of this delicious Dandelion Wine from Mondstadt first?'' My old Windborne said. ''And besides, I didn't want to risk others hearing our conversation.''

He neared the Tree and pressed a hand against it. ''She can always talk around everything, but this Tree will always speak the truth.''

My eyes widened when he mentioned her...

''How is she these days? It has come to my attention that a certain monster has appeared in the City of Wind.''

''Nothing ever gets past you. But yes, it's true. The situation has been dealt with, though. And one of Mondstadt's Four Winds has been replaced. I suppose that you know that already.''

Before my friend turned around, he looked at the Tree.

Most of the Tree's leaves have already fallen off, and the bark has become paler these recent years.

I knew what it meant but felt like I didn't have the right to ask about it, even though my friend gladly would inform me about her.

Especially after her mother died.

''You know...'' My friend snapped me back to reality. ''I usually don't have any requests, but can you promise me something? If anything, for the sake of our friendship and for her sake.''

''You know that I would do anything for her.''

''I know, but this request might be too much to ask... A traveler will arrive in Liyue soon. So will she. The traveler will look for you and probably get involved in your current affairs. That goes without saying that she will too. Watch over her and keep her as safe as possible.''

''I have never stopped doing that. But judging by your serious tone, she must have become weaker, hasn't she?''

''You're right. Please!'' My friend unexpectedly bowed his head before me, an action I had never seen him do.

''I know that I can't offer you much! But please, I beg you! She is becoming more and more reckless. I know that the two of you don't have the best relationship right now, but please!''

''... when it is about her. I would do anything.''

''Thank you. And keep the traveler close. I have a feeling that he might be able to help the two of you mend your relationship. At least more or less. ''

His Windborne friend looked at him like he was debating with himself.

Maybe he had something more to say?

''Uhm... There is something else too... But you absolutely can't tell her this. She would be disappointed in me if she found out...''

''Whatever it is, it must be something heavy to carry around.''

His friend took a deep breath and proceeded to talk. ''The thing is... the truth about how she was able to make her elemental power more stable is because... because she has a small fragment of my Gnosis within her...''

''Gnosis? But how?''

''He-he... It is too long of a story...''

''And how does this help her?''

''It was just a theory back then. But the theory is that a Gnosis needs to be compatible with the same element as its user. And since we know that she also has Anemo power as me, she should be a suitable host to the fragment.''

''....''

''Forgive me, but I only did it in order to protect her. Erosion would find her sooner if I didn't do what I did.''

''I am not angry with you... You seem to do a better job protecting her than me these days...''

''... Besides, I also think that her expertise in harnessing her elemental power is the reason why her vision has started to crack whenever she has a breakthrough in her powers. ''

Word count: 947