"Equal to Heaven, Bound by Earth" A Genshin Impact Fanfic

Chapter 5: The Aftermath

Several days had passed since the battle that left Mondstadt scarred but not broken. The skies, once filled with plumes of smoke, now stretched in serene blue, a sign of the city's resilience. Reconstruction efforts were in full swing, with knights, citizens, and even travelers working tirelessly to restore the City of Freedom to its former glory.

Amidst this bustling activity, Sun Wukong lay in a modest room within the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. Bandages wrapped around his torso and arms, a testament to the ferocity of his battle against the Crimson Witch of Embers. His golden fur, dulled from exhaustion and injury, glimmered faintly as sunlight filtered through the window.

Barbara had insisted he remain in bed to recover, though Wukong was far from a compliant patient. He grumbled under his breath, shifting uncomfortably as he flexed his fingers. The ache in his body was manageable, but the searing pain from the Binding Loop Crown served as a cruel reminder of his limits.

The door creaked open, and Amber's bright voice broke the quiet.

"Good morning, Wukong! How are you holding up?"

He turned his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Amber. I'd say I'm ready to jump out that window, but your healer keeps fussing over me."

Amber chuckled, stepping into the room with Klee in tow. The little Spark Knight bounded forward, her large red backpack jingling with every step.

"Wukong!" Klee exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I brought you a Dodoco plushie to keep you company!"

She handed him a small, handmade toy resembling her signature companion. Wukong stared at it, bemused, before taking it in his hand.

"Thanks, kid," he said, ruffling Klee's hair gently. "I'll, uh, treasure it."

Amber grinned. "She's been worried about you, you know. We all have. What you did during the battle—it was incredible. You protected everyone, even though you didn't have to."

Wukong's expression softened, his gaze drifting to the window. "Yeah, well... it's what anyone would've done, right?"

Amber tilted her head. "Maybe. But not everyone could've done it like you."

Before Wukong could respond, the door opened again, and Jean stepped in, her presence commanding yet gentle. She carried a bouquet of Cecilia flowers, their delicate white petals swaying as she approached his bedside.

"Wukong," she began, her voice steady, "I wanted to personally thank you for what you did. Without your strength, many lives would have been lost that day."

Wukong scratched the back of his head, his ears flicking in slight embarrassment. "It's no big deal. You and your knights did the heavy lifting."

Jean shook her head. "You underestimate your impact. Mondstadt owes you a great debt." She placed the bouquet on the table beside him, her gaze earnest.

"Rest well. The city is healing, thanks to you."

As Jean departed, Klee and Amber stayed a while longer, sharing stories of their recent adventures. Their lighthearted chatter filled the room, easing the heaviness that lingered after the battle.

By midday, Wukong finally convinced Barbara to let him stretch his legs. The deaconess of the Church of Favonius had been vigilant in her care, ensuring his wounds were properly treated and that he adhered to her strict recovery regimen.

Barbara stood by the door, hands on her hips, her expression a mix of concern and exasperation.

"Fine," she relented, "but only for a little while. And no overexerting yourself!"