Retelling stories, personal and factual recounts aren’t quite the easiest thing for people to do.
And for Rex Lapis, it could be the only thing he could ever wish to avoid on doing.
“—'S MINE!”
“I HAD IT FIRST!”
Children.
Fighting over the simplest of things, quarrels about nothings written in water.
Ganyu and Xiao are both adepti. Raised to defend mortals from the petrifying horrors of Liyue.
Ganyu was truly a mortal, in both manner and mind.
Xiao was a demon, devourer of nightmares and dreams alike.
Under the guide of Rex Lapis, both have seemed to have taken the adepti responsibility too seriously.
But that isn’t to say adepti can’t act like children at times.
Normally, Rex Lapis would not heed in such conversation, but the noise seemed to bring back horrible memories than to irritate a person.
You might say that the average person would be driven mad if this went on for hours, but it’s as if Rex Lapis had other reasons for his frustration.
“Now, now children, what ever nonsense are you on about?”
“Mr. Zhongli, Xiao and I were just about to—”
“I quite frankly do not care. I wish for peace of mind and a calm atmosphere. If you two cannot provide such terms, then I shall calmly ask you to leave.”
“Mr. Zhongl-“
“Will you, or will you not comply?”
..Yes sir.
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“Pardon me, but I’ve never caught your name and I was wonde—”
“Rex Lapis. God of Contracts. Have I answered well?”
“Well, um.. See, I don’t think people would believe a man dressed in fine clothing to walk about Liyu—”
“Do I seem like a commoner to you, mortal? How lowly you think of me.”
“Well, yes My Lord, but nobody would believe an attitude as overwhelming as that.”
“Are you implying something, commoner?”
“Of course not, My Lord.”
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“Pardon me for asking, but how do you tell stories as if they were your life’s work, Zhongli?”
Hu Tao would know better than to question the reasons of her consultant, but her question lingered on her mind ever since. He has many excuses and reasons to cover up his truth, but something about this one child stood out to him. Curiosity was one of the director’s more irritable traits, but something about her made Zhongli feel uneasy. Perhaps a certain someone carried the same curiosity from when he stood as an archon in the past.
Perhaps, it could be a lover. Might it be a significant other? Or maybe, someone he sworn he couldn’t lose for the rest of his life, was now taunting him for eternity.
“I have a.. Unique interest in bringing stories to life. The more real they sound the more people are curious to see how it ends.”
“Have you ever heard of ‘A Thousand Glaze Lilies for My Lady’?”
‘Yes,’ He’d wanted to respond. ‘I was the idiot that wrote that novel. Out of love and grief for my.. late friend.’
“No. I’d like to hear about it once I get the chance.”
Lies. Blatant lies. He wanted to tell her, centuries worth of grievance, a look behind the curtain, and the façade he was maintaining. Everything. Everything about her. He wanted to let her know, one last time, to hold her in his embrace. To feel her warmth again, to see her smile again. Alas, he lies for a reason, a reason why nobody can trust him again.
“Sun’s down. I’ll head off for Wangshuu Inn, I heard they’re holding a celebration to honor the next village’s deity, do you have any plans to come with?”
“Liyue has many a plenty of gods and goddesses, deitys and legends alike. Which one are you referring to?”
“The Dust God, Lady Guizhong. Heard of her?”
“I regrettably have not, my sincerest apologies.”
“Oh well then. Rest up, tomorrow is another day of hard work.”
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“A smile? Really? How is it possible to even comprehend such complicated matters of creating such madness?”
“You make it sound like I made you eat a Glaze Lily. It’s simple, just think about whatever makes you happy, and smile!”
“Does war fall under the concept of so-called happiness?”
“Unfortunately not, My Lord.”
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Truth be told, he’d like to pay a visit to the inn, checking up with the adeptus that has chosen to reside in that old structure, but it seems as if he can’t bring himself to do so.
Has she influenced you so much that you can’t attend a celebration for her passing? A voice mused.
He’d always been fond of her, Lady Guizhong. He cared for her deeply. Yet why can’t he bring himself to remember; what she’d look like, what she’d sound like, what she’d done for Liyue. and it seemed to pain him, remembering his friend’s demise.
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“I’ve never seemed to catch your name, commoner, do you have an alias of some sort?”
“I... haven’t told you yet have I, My Lord?”
“Say so, commoner, I don’t have all day.”
Guizhong smiled fondly at him, knowing well that she would pass on and be forgotten, as most minor gods do.
“I have a.. prophecy. I was destined to help someone and move on to the afterlife. Say, do you believe in reincarnation, My Lord?”
“Reincarnation, you say. I do not, or I am against it. You have lived before, and died a miserable death, why should you go through all of that again? I for one, wouldn’t wish to reincarnate, if gods ever die.”
Guizhong loved this side of him, brutally honest, but honest, nonetheless. She always admired him for a reason, could it be the sole reason for her existence? If she were to die for someone, would she be willing to do it, out of love for him? Perhaps… perhaps.
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Rex Lapis never abided by commoners or citizens of Liyue for that matter, every time an offering is made, he simply ignores it. Yet what made this one stand out to him? What made her so... special?
“I’ve always wondered what snow looked like.”
That statement seemed to shock Guizhong, how could the archon of Liyue ask such little nonsense?
“Have you not experienced snowfall, My Lord?”
“Regrettably so.”
“Shall I take you to Qingyun Peak to watch the snow in the winter, My Lord?”
Qingyun seemed like the most reasonable place to go, high up in the mountains, beautiful view, perfect for watching snow fall out of the sky and glaze the grass around them.
“If it is you, I shall go anywhere to meet your request.”
“..How charming.”
Guizhong seemed to fall farther in love than any lady Rex Lapis has ever met. Still, he would do anything and everything, to keep her by his side.
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“I’ve yet to ask you, you mentioned a prophecy you must fulfill, and I’ve yet to hear. Would you as so kindly tell me about it, commoner?”
“I would refrain from mentioning the prophecy My Lord. It has yet to reveal itself, and I too yearn to tell you, but it may be as perplexing as how a commoner meets one’s golden eye.”
“Are you insulting me for choosing a commoner as a companion?”
Guizhong sighed. The Geo archon is not easily pleased nor understanding, it was a hard time explaining when she could only reveal the prophecy through words she could not comprehend.
Simple village girls like her don’t receive an education, most rely on the conversation around them. They only serve to exist as a housewife and bear children for their husband’s name.
Guizhong was against that, she wanted a life of her own, and being the adviser and somehow, the friend of Liyue’s God seemed to work in her favor. She wished she understood what the prophecy meant, she longed to tell her God what she heard. Alas, kept her mouth shut, in the event of the prophecy turning on her.
“I wouldn’t wish to defy you, much as you may think, Rex Lapis.”
“…My name. This has been the first of many chances you could have mentioned my name. Why now?”
“My apologies My Lord, I… do not know how or when I am allowed to speak your name. I have considered my mistake, and I-
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-Wish to speak with your consultant.”
Hu Tao frowned. It was not the first time Lady Ningguang paid the funeral parlor’s consultant a visit, yet it seems as if she was in a hurry, so as not to make her worry, she showed her the door to his office and let them discuss their private matters with each other.
“Liyue is upside down! Everything went wrong since the beginning of your retirement!”
Retirement? How could he do so when he is in perfect condition?
“Guizh- “
“Don’t you dare speak her name! I’ve enough of her, and the Exuvia perishing at the Rite of Descension?! You knew how her prophecy ends, yet you try to alter fate and bring her back!”
..So she knew. Not only did she hide it well, but she also had her suspicions on the consultant.
Hu Tao knew eavesdropping on their conversation seemed wrong, but what could she lose when Liyue looked in terrible shape than before? But the name Lady Ningguang seemed so mad about, it couldn’t have been Lady Guizhong, God of Dust, founder of Guili Plains? It seems as if the more the young director thinks about it, the more it started to click and make sense. But how is it possible for a young man to witness Lady Guizhong centuries ago? Then again, it was said Rex Lapis took on countless forms, Zhongli could be one of them.
Zhongli… who are you, really?...
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“I have not been truthful to you about something, My Lord.”
“And what would that be, my dear?”
Guizhong was taken aback by the name he had called her, more so used to being called “commoner”, not even her real name. Had she succeeded in completing the first half of the prophecy?
“I would like to… express to you how much you’ve changed in the span of months, My Lord and- “
“Rex Lapis, my dear. A title is worthless when even someone you love calls you, I think we’ve moved past that my dearest.”
“Ah um… yes. About that, you aren’t about to scold me for the improper wording?”
Rex Lapis smiled at her conscience he’d taught her, unaware of his impact on her.
“I’ve considered that I shouldn’t be too harsh on you, otherwise I’d push you away.”
“That’s the first time you’ve ever smiled, is it?”
“Maybe it’s because of the commoner I once took as a friend, now look where she is.”
“Beside a god with a tendency to look like a love-sick puppy whenever he looks at said commoner?”
“Don’t push it.”
Mortals are mortal, Gods are immoral, reincarnate one as brand new, ‘Lady Guizhong’ they will call you, lover, a friend, even more if you wish, Liyue sees you as Rex Lapis’ dying wish.
A briny of lilies you shall stand, holding the archon in your hand, one last time before you’re gone, weeps and cries the last you shall hear, Liyue’s downfall will soon be here.
Rex Lapis is torn, confused and in doubt, one final blow makes to be Liyue’s demise, a friend of Rex Lapis, a savior in mind.
Created the Chasm with rage and fury, a battle for Liyue said to be legendary, when all fails and sought to be done,
A rebuilt Liyue rises with the sun.
“I fear for the future of Liyue, promise me after my passing, you'll find another source of happiness in life?"
For the first time, Rex Lapis was dumbfounded and tongue-tied.
He loved her so, much to no one's surprise, but would he really be able to bring Liyue's downfall and rebuild it with his own hands?
"...I will try, for you."
yay, first post sakses
