In which you, a gamer, gets transported into the Genshin Impact world and decide to accompany Aether and Paimon on an adventurous journey to find his sister, while some things turn out to be quite... peculiar.
"I have an idea!"
"What is it?"
"It inv...
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The crowd pressed closer now, a thrumming sea of people, all converging on the heart of Yujing Terrace. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their golden glow growing more vivid as the sun climbed higher.
You had managed to find a spot just close enough to the ceremonial platform to see clearly without being jostled too much by the gathering masses.
Tatiana stood to your right, her gaze fixed on the platform with an expression of quiet curiosity. Aether was on your left, his arms crossed loosely as he scanned the scene, his posture calm but alert. Paimon hovered above you, her excitement nearly palpable as she craned her neck to see over the crowd.
"It's really starting to fill up," Aether remarked, his voice low but audible over the hum of the crowd.
"That's an understatement," you said, glancing over your shoulder at the throngs of people still making their way up the steps. "I don't think I've ever seen this many people in one place before. Granted, we haven't been to too many places yet, anyway."
"Paimon's never seen this many well-dressed people in one place!" she added, her eyes darting around. "Is everyone in Liyue this fancy, or is it just for the ceremony?"
Aether chuckled softly. "Probably a little of both. It's a big day for everyone here."
Paimon nodded fervently. "I mean, who wouldn't want to see Rex Lapis? He's not just a god— he's like, the god of Liyue!"
Tatiana shifted slightly, her hands clasped in front of her. "Do you think he'll actually appear? In person, I mean?"
You exchanged a glance with Aether, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, guess we'll find out.
The murmurs of the crowd grew quieter as the sound of ceremonial drums began to echo across the terrace. The steady rhythm seemed to resonate in the very stones beneath your feet, grounding the anticipation that hung thick in the air.
Paimon hovered lower, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "It's starting! Oh, Paimon's got butterflies in her stomach!"
"Just butterflies?" you teased.
"Hey! Paimon's being serious!" she shot back, though her tone was more playful than annoyed.
"Hmm, of course."
The drums grew louder, their beats punctuated by the faint tinkling of chimes and the deep, resonant call of a gong. The crowd stilled completely, the restless shifting and muted conversations giving way to an expectant silence.
From your vantage point near the railing, you could see Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, standing tall and poised at the center of the platform. Her voice carried with an effortless authority as she addressed the crowd, welcoming all who had gathered for this sacred event. Even from this distance, her presence was commanding— a leader who seemed to radiate both grace and power.
