cursed wings of grief | genshin impact x f.reader

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞

The sky above Liyue Harbor was a rich, deep blue, its serene beauty in sharp contrast to the chaos that stirred beneath. Y/N stood at the edge of the cliff, holding the Hydro artifact tightly in her hands. The cool silver thrummed with an ancient energy, but Y/N could hardly feel it over the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

She had secured the Hydro artifact, the third of five relics tied to the ancient powers of the Yaksha, but instead of triumph, a hollow feeling settled in her chest. She gazed down at the water below, watching the waves crash against the rocks in rhythmic beats, the sound almost like a lullaby to her.

Water had always been a source of comfort for her. As a child, Y/N had spent countless days by the rivers and lakes of Liyue's forest, her heart at ease in nature’s quiet embrace. It was there, by the water's edge, that she had first felt the deep connection to her people, the Qiong Qi. A race born from the wilderness, bound to the elements, and protectors of nature itself. Water, like the earth, trees and sky, had been sacred to them.

She closed her eyes, and the memories washed over her like a tide.

In her mind, she was once again a young girl, running through the forests with the other Qiong Qi children. Their laughter echoed through the trees, the air thick with the scent of pine and the crispness of mountain streams. She remembered the cool, refreshing sensation of dipping her toes into the river, the water rushing around her feet as if welcoming her.

She also remembered fish hunting with her brother.

Back by the familiar banks of the river near their village. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the sunlight as it danced across the surface, and the cool breeze brought with it the scent of wet earth and pine. Zhen's laughter echoed through the air, carefree and unburdened, as they crouched at the water’s edge, poised and waiting.

“Quiet!” Y/N had whispered, her voice filled with mock authority. “You’ll scare the fish away.”

Zhen grinned, unfazed by her warning. His hair, wild and tousled by the wind, fell into his eyes as he held a sharpened stick in one hand, ready to strike.

“Like you could ever catch one without my help,” he teased, winking at her. “Besides, fish aren’t scared of me. They know I’m one with the water.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. She tightened her grip on her own spear and narrowed her eyes, focusing on the water. The fish glided just beneath the surface, their scales flashing silver in the sunlight. It required patience and precision, something Y/N prided herself on. Her brother, however, preferred speed and instinct.

“Watch and learn,” he had whispered, eyes sparkling with mischief. In one swift motion, he plunged his spear into the water, the spray splashing up as he struck. There was a brief struggle beneath the surface, and then, with a triumphant grin, he pulled out a fish, its silver body gleaming in the light.

Y/N had huffed, pretending to be annoyed. “Beginner’s luck,” she had muttered, but Zhen's grin was infectious, and soon they were both laughing, the sound mingling with the gentle rush of the river.

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes.

Her elders used to tell her stories about how the Qiong Qi had been guardians of the land long before the people of Liyue had built their cities. The rivers, lakes, and oceans had spoken to them, guiding them with their whispers, teaching them the cycles of life. To her people, water wasn’t just a source of sustenance. It was a lifeblood that connected all things, a reminder of the flow of time and the enduring presence of nature.