As Fate Conceals, A Maple Reconvened (Alternate Ending)

As Fate Conceals, A Maple Reconvened

Hello, everyone! This is an alternate ending for a story made by a YouTube content creator named Elesk, and her friend stephendavidphillips!

It is my gift to them (and to Kazuha) for making such an amazing story that so many people enjoyed!

To whoever reads this, please go check out Elesk and David's OFFICIAL version of the story first, under the profile mentioned above (book name: Tales of Teyvat). This is not a full story: just an alternate ending to it!

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As the Shogunate reinforcements arrived, Elesk quickly drew her weapon. With a swish of cloth, she was suddenly darting around the gates, aiding her allies and showing no mercy to her enemies. She was soon winning, and she knew it.

But suddenly, the quietest of groans broke her concentration. Parrying a few more strikes, she whirled around in the direction of the sound, eyes wide and fearful.

Kazuha was still on his knees, trying to lift himself up with his katana and use it as a makeshift cane. Every time that he tried to stand, he fell back to the floor with a gasp. It appeared that the Shogun’s sudden attack had drained his energy more than expected…

Elesk felt a fiery burst of anger rising in her chest as she saw a few members of the Shogunate army charging to take advantage of Kazuha’s vulnerable state. Although he tried to turn and face them, his body refused. Disappointed in himself and slightly afraid, Kazuha could only kneel there and brace for the impact.

But the blow never came.

Instead, as Kazuha’s crimson eyes looked up, all he saw was Elesk’s kimono sleeves fluttering in the wind as she blocked the deadly strike, her face dimly bathed in the turquoise glow of a new Anemo vision.

Elesk suppressed the smile that she wanted to wear upon her face as she held the enemies at bay. With renewed confidence and vigor, she slashed the soldiers away from the man she loved.

This confidence and energy was palpable among the rest of the Resistance, and with ease, they were able to defeat the Shogun’s reinforcements. Kazuha was even able to rejoin the battle and gain a few victories of his own.

When the fighting finished, Elesk ran to Kazuha, who sat on the entrance steps to Tenshukaku. He still looked horrifyingly exhausted, and Elesk, not knowing what to do, sat beside him.

The pair sat in silence for a while, watching as their comrades removed the bodies of enemies and allies alike. Soon, gaining a little courage, Elesk slid her hand into Kazuha’s bandaged palm. Eyes brown and crimson both met, and Elesk felt her cheeks heating as Kazuha looked at her like that.

“So… we won." she said slowly.

“That’s right,” Kazuha replied. He contented himself with stroking Elesk’s hand that was in his, and he was pleasantly surprised to feel that her skin was so soft.

“How are you feeling?” Elesk asked tentatively, biting her lip so that she wouldn’t shriek from joy at the touch of Kazuha’s hand.

“I’m… fine,” Kazuha said. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t do much in the battle. Now that I think about it, I-”

“No, nope.” Elesk interrupted. “You did enough already. More than enough, actually - you parried the Musou no Hitotachi, for archon’s sake.”

Kazuha looked away. Now, it was his turn to blush, as a faint red hue found its way onto his face. Before he could respond, however, Gorou came over to the pair of them to notify them that they would be going back to Watatsumi Island to rest and even celebrate a bit.

Elesk jumped up at this - rest, and relaxation, in one of her favorite places? Yes, please.

But when she looked at Kazuha’s face, she was surprised to see it was set in a frown.

“Kazuha, what’s the matter?” she asked.

The ivory haired boy took a few beats to respond. Slowly, he opened his mouth, and said: “You all can go ahead. I… have some business I want to finish up here.”

Elesk looked like she wanted to protest, but she decided against it. So, she got up, and walked away with Gorou, occasionally stealing glances at Kazuha, who was still sitting on Tenshukaku’s steps.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Several days passed, and Elesk found herself longing for the presence of a certain samurai. Yes, she admitted, the celebrations were fun -  she was happy that the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree were abolished. But she wished she could share her happiness with the man that had so gracefully stolen her heart.

She sat on the western coast of Watatsumi Island, a pile of rocks beside her. Her anemo vision glowed brightly on her hip as she absently threw rocks into the sea and watched them sink.

She was so immersed in her action, that she didn’t hear the footsteps on the sand, nor the quiet “ahem” that came behind her.

Elesk was finally jolted out of her trance when she felt a hand on her shoulder. That warmth was familiar… and what was that scent? Maple leaves?

Smiling to herself, Elesk turned around. It was who she expected, but if she hadn’t smiled, her jaw would have dropped to the floor.

Kazuha stood behind her, wearing a beautiful smile on his face and holding a red bouquet. Elesk took it, mouth moving like a fish out of water as she examined the beautiful arrangement made of maple leaves, red carnations, and red roses.

“For… for me?” she finally choked out.

Kazuha slowly nodded, seeming satisfied with her reaction. “Yes, Elesk. Also… there’s something else inside that bouquet for you.”

He suddenly seemed embarrassed, so Elesk, wanting to spare him the shame, dug gently into the flowers and pulled out a small paper heart. She unfolded it, and saw the haiku…

On this windless night,
My heart flutters; the moon glows…
Elesk, I love you.

Elesk’s brown eyes went as wide as saucers. She blinked once, and even twice. Is this a joke? All this time, she’s been hiding her feelings from him… and he loves her back?!

Kazuha was still smiling, his blush slightly becoming more pronounced as Elesk stared at him. “Well? Do you like it?”

Time felt frozen, yet Elesk broke it by running the short distance to Kazuha, circling her arms around him in a hug as tears spilled down her cheeks. She buried her face into his shoulder, soaking his haori with tears, but neither of them seemed to care.

“Like it? I love it!” she hiccuped, giggling slightly as Kazuha caressed her brown locks. “Just like I love you.”

Somewhere above her head, she heard Kazuha let out a sigh of relief at her words. The two stood in silence, savoring each other’s warmth. Presently, without another word, Kazuha swept Elesk off her feet and into his arms. He pecked her lips lightly, and smiled as she blushed.

“Fate made us enemies once, and it played a cruel joke on us through separation. But now… nothing will keep us apart again.”