Genshin Impact: The Origins

Request

"Too slow," I said after beating down Ei for the 10th time today. We had been training in our dojo since that day. Ei was improving in duels, but she still lacked something. I didn't know why, but no matter how skilled she became at wielding a sword, I still felt like it wasn't her weapon.

Ei sat on the ground, panting heavily.

"I nearly had you," Ei complained.

"Yeah, but you still lack something. I know you're good with a sword, but I feel like it's not your weapon," I said.

"What do you mean by that?" Ei asked.

"Look, everyone has a weapon they excel with more than others. For me, I'm skilled in all weapon styles. What about you?"

"I'm good at using polearms. But I rarely use them because I thought I would be better with a sword. Uncle Isshin and Father both use swords too, and that inspired me," Ei replied.

"Let's use polearms next," I suggested to her. She didn't say anything but agreed with a nod.

In the inventory, we found a wooden polearm. Ei grabbed it and swung it a little bit.

"Not perfect, but this will do," Ei replied with a satisfied look.

"Then let's begin."

We started our training again, but this time I noticed a difference. She was really good when using the polearm. Despite the lack of training, I was quite sure this was her weapon. After an intense duel, she lost again but started to laugh.

"Did you see that? I almost had you. Almost..."

She was right. If she hadn't made so many mistakes, she almost had me.

"Yeah, you got me. So, what are you going to do now? Polearm or sword? Your choice," I asked her.

She looked at the wooden polearm. "I've decided. I'll go with the polearm."

I started to hear footsteps, and then the door of the dojo opened. Makoto came in, carrying a tray with tea cups on it.

"Good work, you two. I'm sure you're exhausted. Why don't you take a break for a few moments," she said.

Alongside Ei, Makoto stayed in our home. She began studying under my mother, who started teaching her politics, economics, and various things she would need to know when ruling over a kingdom. Ei explained her plan to me, but I didn't get it. I didn't understand why she needed to hide her own existence for some stupid reason. Handling a mad dragon is easier than understanding a woman, that's what my father told me.

"Whatever, not my problem," I thought to myself as I sat down and started to drink my tea. It was soothing. Ei and Makoto really looked alike; the only way to separate them was a small birthmark. Ei had a birthmark under her right eye, and it was the only way to identify them separately. It took me a few days, but I caught on quickly. Their personalities were entirely different. Makoto had a lot of charisma, more than Ei. She could be friendly with everyone instantly, and she was smart. Ei was skilled in martial arts, and she was smart too, but when it came to crowds, she lacked social skills. One would protect, and one would rule. Not a bad plan after all.

Suddenly, Makoto raised her voice.

"Shahasra, there is something I need your help with. Can you please help me?" she asked.

"It depends on what that 'something' is," I replied.

"As you know, our eleventh birthday is coming up soon. That means we have to participate in weapon forging ceremony - (the 'Buki kaji shiki)," she explained.

It's true, the weapon forging ceremony is a significant event. Noble children start their martial arts training, including swordsmithing, since they are six years old, especially the boys, but girls can train too if they want. Anyway, when they turn eleven, there is a ceremony called the 'weapon forging ceremony' at a place called the 'Mikage Furnace'. During this ceremony, you have to forge your own weapon and test it in front of a massive crowd. It's a chance to prove your worth to your clan elders. Ei and I are going to participate this time, but for Makoto, she can't train in swordsmithing due to her poor health, so she can't participate.

"So, what do you need from me?" I asked.

"I need you to forge me a sword. Not for war, but as a symbol of peace," Makoto requested.

"It's a simple task. I can start it right now if you want," I said.

"Not now, that's the problem," she replied, with a concerned look.

***********

"But why do you need me to do it during the forging ceremony?" I asked her.

"The forging ceremony is the best place to create weapons. On that day, the Mikage Furnace will be connected with the divine, making it the best day to forge a weapon. I don't need it to be in perfect condition, but if you can, please make one after making yours," Makoto explained.

"I will try, but don't get your hopes up too high," I replied to her.

"These two girls are giving me a headache," I thought to myself. As I contemplated, Ei also had a question.

"Umm, I don't want to bother you, but I need help with something too," Ei said hesitantly.

"Yeah, what's your problem?" I asked.

"It's not simple, but can you make a polearm blueprint for me? I'm so bad at drawing blueprints. But as you know, I'm good at forging," Ei explained.

Well, she's right about that. She's bad at drawing, but when it comes to forging, Ei is better than anyone else. She uses my blueprints and tries to craft them, and sometimes she's successful. If she fails, she changes my blueprint in her own way and becomes successful.

"Okay, I will do it. A polearm. Give me some time. When we're training, I will make a blueprint for a polearm that matches your fighting style," I replied.

Ei's eyes lit up. "Thank you very much, Shahasra," she said gratefully.

Makoto also bowed her head and said, "Thank you."

***********

After that, I went to my room because it was already evening. I started to think over and over again about the polearm and the two swords, including mine.

"This is going to be very challenging," I thought to myself as I sat at my table and began to draw every idea that came into my mind.