Genshin Impact: The Origins

Lightning that Strike for Centuries

After completing a commission from the Adventure Guild, I started to take a rest. While resting, I received a message from Inazuma. It was from Raiden Ei.

The letter was short. It said if I could come to Inazuma and meet her, mentioning that she needed to discuss something important. "I think we should go and meet her," Paimon said.

"Yeah," I agreed. Several days later, we reached Inazuma. As soon as we got there, we went to meet Ei."So, you're finally here," Ei said. "Long time no see, Ei... Paimon and I came to Inazuma as soon as we got your message," I said, nodding in agreement.

"So, what's the important matter you wanted to talk to us about?" Paimon asked. "I always argued with myself about whether I should tell you this story or not. But I've made my decision. You have the right to listen to this story because it will help you understand everything that happened in Teyvat before the Archon War and Khaenri'ah." 

"Wait... Are you going to tell us the truth about Khaenri'ah and the Archon War?" Paimon asked, and my jaw dropped. Finally, I could learn what really happened 500 years ago. "Traveller, tell me, in this world, who are the strongest: people who have Visions or people who don't have Visions?" "People who have Visions," I replied. 

"Wrong... I know two persons who didn't have Visions, but they were so strong. One of them controlled elements just like you, even though he didn't have a Vision. The other one used forbidden knowledge to make himself powerful." 

"Wait... There was someone you knew who could control elemental powers just like the Traveller?" Paimon asked, and I became curious too.

"Can you see my left shoulder? Ever wondered why I only use one shoulder guard?" Ei asked." No... Isn't it for your protection?" Paimon replied.

"Actually, this thing is a piece of shoulder guard made by me. This piece belonged to the person that I mentioned to you, the one who controlled elements just like you. The man I fell in love with.""Ei, you mean your lover. We didn't know you had a lover. But what happened to him?" Paimon asked.

Ei's face darkened. "During the Khaenri'ah War, he sacrificed himself to close that abyss where monsters came into this world. That war took everything from me, not only my sister but also my lover. He was the strongest in this world; even the heavenly principles were afraid of his powers."

"I will tell everything from the beginning. All of this happened about a thousand years ago, right after Inazuma was born."Inazuma had a sovereign Dragon who controlled the Electro element. Its name was Narukami. I think you might be quite familiar with that name.

A thousand years ago, Narukami fell in love with a human woman. They had two kids, my father and my uncle, Raiden Musou and Raiden Isshin. This marked the birth of the Raiden clan. Back then, Inazuma was always plagued with wars, but my uncle and my father united all the six islands and brought them under one flag. That's how the Shogun Empire was born.

My father was the youngest one, while my uncle was the eldest. So, my uncle became the first Shogun. My uncle fell in love with a Kitsune named Shinano and married her. They were about to have their first child, but something terrible happened. Even after Inazuma united, evil still lurked in the shadows.

Someone poisoned my Aunt Shinano. It nearly killed her, but thanks to her Yokai powers, she survived. Unfortunately, their unborn child wasn't lucky, and the poison made it so my aunt couldn't bear any more children.

Uncle Isshin and Aunt Shinano became deeply depressed. Uncle gave up his position to my father and left with Aunt to a distant place. But after a week of all that happened, on a dark night, a bright star fell from the sky to Inazuma, where my uncle and aunt were living together after their loss. My uncle searched for this star and found out it wasn't a star; it was a boy. My uncle and aunt decided to adopt him. 

They gave him a name...

His name was... Raiden Shahasra, meaning the Lightning that Strikes for Centuries.