This part of Teyvat isn't Earth-sized (fanfic).
A one-shot sequel to "Small World." If you'd like more of this, I might write more. I honestly owe this to the creator of the AU, @arn9tails .
Okay, here's the little disclaimer and a heads-up: I don't own Hoyoverse, Genshin Impact, or anything related to them.
And a big thank you to @arn9tails for letting me use their Genshin size difference AU as the basis for this fanfic. The idea that Teyvat isn't scaled to Earth but is actually much, much larger.
Also, just a quick heads-up: this story touches on some serious and sensitive subjects. It's inspired by SAGAU (Self-Aware Genshin Impact Alternative Universe), isekai themes, different isekai worlds, creation myths, and fanfiction in general.
Lightning doesn't strike twice
It's been months since I returned to Earth, carrying a secret no one suspects: my journey to Teyvat. No one knows about the day I, my closest friends, and countless others were abducted, finding ourselves auctioned off in a bizarre market catering to giants, where we were deemed "minis." Teyvat, a realm ripped straight from the Genshin Impact universe, became my prison, and a character from the game, Cyno, became my unlikely savior. It wasn't Earth-sized; it was a world built for titans.
That was six months ago. I was attempting a normal evening, watching an action-comedy with my elderly parents, when the impossible began again. A subtle ripple disturbed the water in the pitcher, a fleeting anomaly I dismissed.
But the ripples escalated into violent quakes, sending my parents into terrified screams that echoed the cries of our neighbors.
"Earthquakes..." my dad shrieked, his voice barely audible above the chaos.
Instinct took over. I hauled them both beneath the sturdy dining table, seeking a fragile sanctuary. The tremors intensified, plunging the house into darkness. Then, a flash of electro purple illuminated the world outside. The others thought it was thunder, but I knew better. That wasn't thunder; it was the sound of something... grunting.
The tremors finally subsided, but the silence that followed was quickly shattered by a chorus of shouts and cries. Our neighborhood, usually so peaceful, was now a scene of utter chaos as people poured out of their homes, a frantic wave of bewildered faces.
The internet was down, power lines were severed, and a strange sense of isolation descended. But we were a close-knit community, and instinctively, everyone sought solace in one another, emerging from their houses in search of answers and reassurance.
"What is that?" Mrs. Henderson, our elderly neighbor, asked, her voice trembling as she pointed towards the street. Massive, scorched cavities marred the asphalt, as if some colossal force had pressed down upon it.
"It looks like something melted it..." someone muttered, their voice laced with disbelief. But as I gazed at the strange depressions, a chilling thought crept into my mind. They resembled enormous footprints, and my heart began to race with a primal fear.
Suddenly, a woman screamed, clutching her infant tightly. "I saw it! A giant..." she shrieked, her eyes wide with terror. "It was immense, colossal..."
At first, her words were met with skepticism, dismissed as hysteria. But something in her voice, in the raw terror etched on her face, made me suspect otherwise. And then, someone noticed it – a trail of blood, glistening ominously on the cars and trees, lending a horrifying credence to her story.
The older men, their faces grim, began to organize. Armed with whatever they could find – rakes, shovels, even pitchforks – they formed a makeshift posse, their determination masking a palpable uncertainty. They ventured off in the direction of the blood trail, a motley crew driven by a mixture of fear and a primal need to protect their own. I watched in stunned disbelief, already witnessing the terrifying emergence of a mob mentality.
My sigh broke the evening's silence as I muttered, "Monster due on April street, huh?" The trail of blood, a scarlet serpent leading towards the highway, defied all reason. My eyes shifted to the forest's border, where a strange sight caught my attention – several trees were bent at impossible angles, as if a tremendous power had passed through.
"Huh?" Curiosity, or perhaps reckless courage, prevailed. Ignoring my intuition, I told my parents I was going to inspect the neighborhood transformers, grabbed a flashlight, and set off. A crowd of frightened neighbors hurried in the opposite direction, their faces lit by the unsteady glow of cellphones and flashlights. I plunged into the woods, the beam of my flashlight slicing through the darkness. I'm not one for nature, but I had a strong sense of direction, a skill that had proven useful many times before. The deeper I went, the more trees I discovered, bent and broken, their branches contorted into disturbing forms. At last, I arrived at a clearing, and there, illuminated by the faint moonlight, I found a large figure. I recognized him with a surge of fear. It was Cyno, lying still on the forest floor, bleeding profusely, either unconscious or, may the gods forbid, dead. Cyno wasn't like me; he was a literal giant, though a kind one. I could almost fit entirely within his huge hands.
"Cyno!" I clambered onto his chest, frantically patting his face, trying to wake him. He didn't respond, lost in the depths of unconsciousness. Just then, the distant roar of the angry mob grew louder, closer. This is just great, I thought.
A wave of relief washed over me as the mob, by some stroke of unbelievable luck, surged in the opposite direction. I couldn't believe my eyes. What were the odds that Cyno, of all people, would end up here, in my little corner of the world? The thought of bringing him home was laughable; he was literally taller than my house. Once the commotion died down, I cautiously made my way back, only to find the neighborhood transformers completely fried, spitting sparks and smelling of ozone.
Knowing I had to act fast, I grabbed the truck and sped into town, heading straight for the twenty-four-hour Walgreens. The sales clerk gave me a bewildered look as I approached the counter with three carts overflowing with antibacterial ointment, linens, and other supplies I hoped would be useful. Thankfully, there was a road near the clearing where he lay, but hauling everything up the incline and deep into the forest proved to be an exhausting ordeal. Finally, I reached him and began tending to his wounds, a difficult task given his immense size. I was quickly drenched in crimson as I cleaned him up, the metallic scent filling the air. Using the bedsheets I had brought, I fashioned makeshift bandages for his arm, hoping they would hold.
Cyno hadn't planned a trip to Earth. Nor had he foreseen tumbling through a shimmering portal, the unexpected consequence of a clash with a Fatui agent wielding a Pyro Delusion.
He landed with a thud, dust motes dancing in the air around him. His eyes struggled to reconcile the scene before him: miniature houses, like something from a child's dollhouse collection, stretched into the distance. Confusion warred with the lingering adrenaline of battle. Naturally, the Fatui agent, ever the opportunist, was already upon him, Pyro crackling menacingly.
It was then, amidst the clash of steel and fire, that Cyno heard them: tiny screams, high-pitched and filled with terror. The realization crashed over him – he was on Earth, and these were its inhabitants. Fighting with such minuscule creatures underfoot was a perilous situation. Each strike had to be measured, each parry carefully executed. Both he and the Fatui agent sustained injuries, the landscape itself becoming a hazard.
Driven by a need to protect the tiny populace, Cyno sought refuge, concealing himself from their wide, frightened eyes. He found a clearing what he thought was a forest, and exhaustion claimed him. He didn't expect to find Mao there when he awoke, her small hands, face, clothed stained with what he hoped was mud, tending to wounds far too big for her.
"Mao?" His voice was a low rumble, barely audible. He gently, cautiously, grasped the fabric of her shirt back. She whipped around, her tiny face a mask of fury.
"Stop it! I don't like being manhandled!" she exclaimed, her voice surprisingly strong for her size. A chuckle rumbled in Cyno's chest, a sound of genuine amusement amidst the strangeness of it all. Carefully, he scooped her up, placing her gently on his chest, close to the steady beat of his heart.
Mao had once been a delightful surprise. Now, however, the feeling was quite the opposite, a disquieting unease settling in his stomach. He found himself inexplicably transported, a giant in her miniature world, and a chuckle escaped him at the sheer absurdity of it all. He, Cyno, a game character, yet towering over the earthlings like some benevolent, if bewildered, god.
He began to sit up, the movement surprisingly sluggish, and Mao clung to him.
"Hey, not so fast..." she scolded, her voice a tiny, yet firm, reprimand that was almost comical given her diminutive stature. "Are you trying to make yourself dizzy? And another thing, why are you here?!" Her expression was a furious storm, brewing in a face a little bigger than his thumb.
"People are already forming an angry mob," she continued, her voice rising in pitch. "You took down the lights and the internet with whatever the heck you were doing..."
In Cyno's defense, he had tried to be discreet during the fight with the Fatui agent. He truly had. However, the task had proven far more difficult than he had anticipated, a chaotic dance of elemental power in a world not built to contain it.
My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me. It was Cyno, no doubt about it, standing right here on Earth. But there was a problem, a colossal one, quite literally. He was a giant! How on earth was I supposed to hide someone of his…stature? The thought of abandoning him here was unbearable, though.
"I wasn't trying to make a scene," Cyno began, his voice a low rumble. "I didn't even use all my strength. He's the one who dragged the fight into the neighborhood." I listened intently as he recounted the bizarre series of events that had led him here. Apparently, he had been in hot pursuit of a Fatui agent when, quite unexpectedly, he'd stumbled into a portal.
His gaze shifted to the makeshift bandage on his arm. "Where did you even find the cloth to mend my arm?" he inquired.
"Um…," I stammered, a bit embarrassed. "That's actually a few bedsheets. I, uh, tied them together..." I explained sheepishly. I could see the exhaustion etched on his face, the clear desire to just collapse.
"Rest for a bit," I urged, placing a hand on his massive arm. "I have to go home and check on my parents. I'll be back as soon as I can."
The drive home was a welcome escape, a chance to check on my parents. A long, hot shower washed away the stress of the day, and I finally succumbed to sleep's embrace.
Earlier, the morning had been a puzzle for my neighbors. A power outage had plunged the street into darkness, severing their connection to the digital world. But even then, the wheels of progress were turning, solutions already in motion. I busied myself, restoring order to my parents' home, before finally commandeering the truck.
Cyno, no doubt, was feeling the hungry. But a simple trip to IHOP or McDonald's was out of the question for a being of his immense size. Instead, I steered towards a local farm, a haven of fresh produce. With a swipe of my credit card, I acquired their entire stock of apples and veggies, loading the bounty onto the truck, a feast fit for a giant.
How did my life take such a bizarre turn? Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be providing food and shelter for the towering General Mahamatra. My initial plan was to carry the food to the clearing myself, but time was of the essence. My trusty red Ford truck, a seasoned companion on countless adventures, navigated the forest paths with the agility of a mountain bike. It successfully delivered a feast fit for my colossal friend.
"Cyno..." I called out from the truck window. He was seated, his massive hands shuffling his TCG cards, a testament to his sharp intellect.
I stepped out of the truck, presenting the overflowing basket of vegetables. His arm was still bandaged, a stark reminder of his recent ordeal.
"Sorry... I'd offer you a burger, but it wouldn't even begin to satisfy your large appetite..." I remarked to the giant. Cyno immediately began devouring the basket of fruits and veggies. Watching him eat was a humbling experience. This was only breakfast, and I was already grappling with the daunting task of keeping him fed. Lunch and dinner loomed, and I had a sinking feeling my credit cards were about to face their greatest challenge; debt was surely on the horizon.
I felt a sudden, unexpected force lifting me skyward. It was Cyno, of course, his fingers clamped firmly on the back of my shirt, hoisting me into the air like a wayward puppet. Again.
"Hey!" I protested, glaring up at him. "I told you to warn me before you go all grabby!" A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, utterly devoid of humor. Honestly, it was starting to grate on my nerves.
"Not funny... You're like King Kong!" I exclaimed, trying to maintain a semblance of stoicism despite my undignified position.
Cyno's brow furrowed slightly. "Is King Kong a King in this world?"
I groaned inwardly, resisting the urge to facepalm. Instead, I settled for a dramatic slap to my forehead.
"No... he's a giant ape... Who climbed the Empire State Building with Fay Wray in his hand..." The words tumbled out, a testament to my childhood spent immersed in classic cinema. My father, a lover of old movies, had ensured I was well-versed in their lore.
Cyno's curiosity was piqued. "Is it based on facts? Did such an event occur in this world?"
"No, it's completely made up. And remember, magic doesn't exist in my world..this world." I reminded him, reiterating a point I'd made countless times before.
"So your people wrote the story to compensate for the lack of such things?" Cyno mused. I shrugged, a gesture lost on him since I was still dangling.
"I suppose so..." I conceded, the absurdity of the situation finally sinking in.
Cyno's massive hands gently lowered me to the ground, and I couldn't help but sigh. The situation had spiraled from strange to utterly bizarre. A giant, ripped straight from the fantastical world of Teyvat—a place I'd only known as a video game until a few months ago—now stood beside me.
"So, can I ask..." The question died in my throat. My eyes flicked back to Cyno, who hadn't moved an inch. I'd expected him to immediately give chase to the fleeing Fatui giant. Why the hesitation? Was he worried about being seen? It wouldn't surprise me, considering his colossal size. The thought of my neighbors spotting him sent a shiver down my spine. The fallout would be catastrophic—the local army base swarming the area, or worse, the government getting involved. It would be a scene straight out of Gulliver's Travels.
"Hmm?" He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping down to meet mine.
"Why haven't you gone after the Fatui?" I asked, already suspecting the answer.
"It isn't oblivious; if your people saw me, it would cause a panic..." he rumbled, his voice a low tremor in the air.
"I figured as much..." I sighed, the weight of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. It wasn't like I could just tuck him away under a blanket. He was, quite literally, a giant.
The question hung in the air, a heavy weight: how does one conceal a giant? I'd barely managed to hide Cyno, and now, a far more colossal problem loomed – a massive, dangerous Fatui agent was loose, leaving a trail of destruction. I sighed, the weight of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. My expertise lay in the intricate mechanics of video games and knowing the best places to grab a bite; not in hiding giants or dealing with rogue Fatui agents.
I glanced up at my towering friend, Cyno, a silent plea for assistance in my eyes, just as my phone buzzed insistently. I pulled it out, my heart sinking as I read the notification.
"Strange craters found on Highway 67..." The attached image zoomed in, the resolution sharp enough to confirm my worst suspicions. Those weren't craters; they were giant footprints.
I looked back at Cyno, a nervous smile playing on my lips. "I think I found your buddy..." I said, gesturing to the picture on my phone. "He's on the other side of town. Any slim chance you can turn invisible or something?"
Cyno's expression remained stoic, unmoved by my flippant remark. "Mao, Magic doesn't work like that," he replied, his voice a low rumble. "Besides, he's using a Delusion for that..."
The weight of the situation pressed down on me once more. "What to do?" I groaned, running a hand through my hair. The task ahead seemed insurmountable, a David-and-Goliath scenario where I was woefully unprepared to play David.
"You don't happen to have a slingshot?" I asked. Cyno raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding the reference.
Lost in my own thoughts, I watched as Cyno nonchalantly picked up my truck, cradling it as if it were a child's plaything. My eyes widened.
"Woah, hey!" I blurted out, my voice laced with a protective edge. I was particular about my truck. Very particular. And to see Cyno, with his Herculean strength, handling it with such carefree abandon… it rubbed me the wrong way. Of course, I understood his fascination. Earth's modern technology was practically non-existent in Teyvat. It must have been like discovering magic for him. He twirled the truck in his hands, a childlike wonder in his eyes.
"Don't mes-" I started to say, but the words died in my throat. My face paled, and my eyes widened in horror. It happened so fast. A sickening crack echoed in the air. He had unintentionally broken the hood of my truck.
"Sorry..." he mumbled, setting the now-hoodless vehicle down with a thud. He had actually broken the metal. Snapped it like a twig.
I was speechless, shock rippling through me. My truck. All the blood, sweat, and tears I had poured into buying that ridiculous, standard red truck. Gone. Reduced to a hoodless, broken mess in the hands of an apologetic, yet incredibly giant, General Mahamatra.
"It's fine..." I managed to choke out, the words feeling like a lie even as they left my lips. It was far from fine.
The problem of how to move the giant in secret occupied my thoughts for mintunes. Finally, a plan began to coalesce in my mind, and I drove toward town, hope warring with anxiety. The recent "earthquake," as the locals called it, had conveniently masked the truth: giants from another dimension were the real culprits.
I arrived to find a meeting of my neighborhood community leaders in full swing.
"People are shaken up by the monster and giant reports. It's mass hysteria..." someone lamented. I bit back the urge to reveal the truth; I was the only one in the room who knew what was really going on.
An idea sparked in my mind. "I have an idea. What about a party at the high school...just to take their minds off things?" I proposed. The high school, safely distanced from the heart of town, seemed the perfect venue. The suggestion was met with immediate enthusiasm. Within hours, the town was buzzing with anticipation.
As I helped with the preparations, my best friend Lottie approached me, a concerned look on her face. "What happened to your truck?" she asked, her eyes narrowed.
I couldn't tell her the truth—that I was currently harboring a giant in the woods, and he'd inadvertently totaled my truck. The words caught in my throat.
"I ran over a bear..." I blurted out, struggling to maintain a semblance of composure.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"I'm totally fine..." I replied, hoping she wouldn't notice the sweat beading on my forehead.
The gymnasium buzzed with the frenetic energy of a high school party in the making. After a few hours of helping with the decorations, I attempted a stealthy retreat, hoping to vanish before the forced socializing commenced. But fate, or rather, Lottie, had other plans.
"(Name), there you are! Where are you going?" she called out, her voice laced with playful suspicion.
"Um... I-I forgot something at the house..." I stammered, the lie feeling clumsy and transparent even to my own ears. Deceiving Lottie was never my forte. She's my best friend, an anchor in the increasingly bizarre landscape of my life, and her husband, Jamie, is the other.
"It can wait, can't it? You're not even dressed for the party..." Jamie chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head, plotting my imminent transformation courtesy of the school drama department's costume collection.
"I really need to go-" I began, but Lottie, ever the determined force of nature, cut me off. She looped her arm through mine, effectively shackling me to my fate, and began dragging me towards a makeshift makeup station. It was a familiar routine, a far cry from the events of six months prior.
Six months ago, Lottie, Jamie, and I had been at an anime convention, a weekend of cosplay and camaraderie. Then, everything went sideways. We were kidnapped, whisked away to the world of Teyvat – yes, the world from Genshin Impact, only this one was Earth-sized, a realm of colossal landscapes and even more colossal beings. Thanks to some magical mishap involving Nahida, earthlings who were brought to Teyvat became like animals. I have no idea why I was immune. The whole ordeal was eventually rectified, and we were all sent back home. Lottie and Jamie remember nothing of it, a blessing, I think. It was, to put it mildly, a bit traumatic.
But that's how I met Cyno. He saved me from a rather unsavory trio of scholars in a crumbling desert ruin. Now, Cyno is here, in my world, a fish out of water and, unfortunately for him, a literal giant. As if that weren't enough, there's also a giant Fatui agent lurking around somewhere. Yep, my life has become exceptionally weird.
I threw my hands up, the silk of my simple purple dress swirling around my legs. "Why are we dressed for prom?!" I exclaimed, the question echoing with perhaps a touch too much drama for a Tuesday afternoon. My exasperation was directed at Lottie, who simply beamed back at me.
"It's fun!" she chirped, waving a perfectly manicured finger in the air. "We didn't get to go to our prom, remember?" She and her husband, James, were a matching set in their dapper suits, a stark contrast to my own semi-formal attire—heels, the aforementioned dress, and my hair pulled back in a neat bun, punctuated only by dangling earrings. A pang of memory struck me. She was right. We hadn't gone to prom. A plague of some sort had swept through our little trio that weekend, leaving us huddled together, mainlining movies and misery.
I couldn't help but feel a familiar twinge of… something. It wasn't quite jealousy, but perhaps a wistful awareness of my place in our dynamic. I always felt more like River Song in our little Doctor Who-esque relationship, flitting in and out, a chaotic element, rather than the steadfast Amy or the dependable Rory.
"Thank you..." I sighed, the word laced with a mixture of affection and resignation. But the truth was, I really had to leave. Duty called—or rather, the giant in town that might destroy the peace. No pressure.
"I gotta go..." I announced. "Save me cake?"
"Sure thing!" Lottie called after me, her voice bright and unwavering. "Be back as soon as you can?" I offered a quick wave goodbye, already halfway out the door.
Cyno wrestled with a frustration he dared not voice. Here he was, on Earth, a planet dwarfed by his size. He found himself concealed behind a forest of trees, the setting sun casting long shadows as he waited for Mao. Beside him, she seemed almost doll-like in her stature.
"Hey!" A strange sound, emanating from her "truck" as she called it, announced her arrival. She stepped out, the purple dress only enhancing her doll-like appearance.
"Hey... if you're planning to confront the Fatui agent, now's the time! Most of the town is at the high school for a party..." Mao informed him, her voice tinged with urgency.
"That explains the dress. What took you so long?" Cyno questioned, before sweeping her into his arms.
"Stop picking me up without warning!" she hissed, a blush rising on her cheeks. "For what it's worth, I'll do my best to help you."
"You've done enough..." Cyno replied, his voice softening as he gently patted her head.
"Hey, stop that!" Mao exclaimed, shaking her head free of his touch. He set her down, and Cyno felt a surge of readiness, eager to conclude this mission and, more importantly, relieved that he wouldn't have to worry about harming the inhabitants of this fragile planet.
"Whoa, where are you going?!" Mao called out, hurrying to keep pace with his long strides.
I trailed closely behind Cyno, my pace proving insufficient as he once again resorted to hoisting me up by the back of my dress. A sigh escaped him, thick with exasperation.
"This is my home... Let me help!" The words tumbled out, fueled by my frustration at feeling so utterly useless. A soft chuckle rumbled from him before he settled me securely on his shoulder. From this new vantage point, the town spread out before me, offering a clear view and, more importantly, a good sense of where the Fatui agent was likely concealed, thanks to the subtle commotion he was causing. My suspicions were confirmed; he lurked in the wooded area bordering Main Street. Thankfully, the streets were deserted. If there was one thing I knew about my town, it was their unwavering dedication to celebration, which is where almost everyone was at that moment.
It wasn't long before the Fatui agent revealed himself, emerging from the trees like a looming shadow. Cyno was already an imposing figure, but this man towered over even the General Mahamatra by at least two heads. I felt Cyno gently set me down on the rooftop of a nearby building. From there, I was granted a front-row seat to a battle of giants. Explosions of fire ripped through the air, punctuated by the crackling discharge of Cyno's electric power. I was, unfortunately, relegated to the role of a mere bystander as the town trembled beneath the weight of their conflict. Each heavy footstep sent vibrations through the building, bouncing me around like a ragdoll.
I watched, helpless, as the mighty Cyno battled the colossal Fatui Agent. It was a brutal fight, and regret twisted in my gut as I saw Cyno taking a severe beating. "Cyno! Get up!" I screamed, my voice cracking with desperation, but I was trapped, confined within the cold, unyielding walls of a nearby building.
Driven by a surge of adrenaline, I bolted down the fire escape, my mind racing. An idea, reckless and improbable, sparked within me. I commandeered a nearby car, my hands trembling as I hot-wired the ignition, a skill from countless action movies. Cyno lay prone on the ground, and in a moment of temporary insanity, I slammed the gas pedal, driving the car directly into the Fatui Agent's leg. The behemoth crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. Miraculously, I emerged with only minor injuries, a few bruises the price of my impulsive heroism.
"What the hell?!" The towering Fatui Agent loomed over me, his voice a thunderous roar. I knew I was in deep trouble. Abandoning the mangled car, I kicked off my heels and ran, the absurdity of my situation not lost on me. There I was, fleeing for my life in a ridiculous purple prom dress. He pursued me relentlessly, forcing me to seek refuge behind a nearby building.
"Come out, come out wherever you are!" His voice echoed, laced with menace. I was paralyzed with fear as he leaned over the building, his shadow engulfing me. But then, a sudden, powerful force yanked him backward. Cyno had awakened, or rather, he had risen, fueled by a primal rage.
"Don't touch her..." I couldn't see him, but his voice, low and guttural, vibrated with palpable anger, an anger that honestly frightened me just a little. The Fatui Agent was formidable, but Cyno was a force of nature. I knew I had to help. Spotting a firehose, I grabbed it and, with a surge of adrenaline, ran behind the giant Fatui Agent. I unleashed the full force of the water, sending him sprawling backwards. I watched, breathless, as Cyno relentlessly beat him, a whirlwind of controlled fury, before finally binding him. I gasped for breath, my dress ruined, my hair a mess, a complete and utter wreck. But I was alive.
Deep within the woods, a sanctuary far removed from the prying eyes of the town, I stood as a silent observer. Before me, the towering figure of Cyno hauled a bound and struggling Fatui agent, his captive squirming in vain.
"So, this is it?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. He offered a curt nod, a silent acknowledgment of the inevitable farewell that hung heavy in the air. Goodbyes were a constant companion in my life, but this one… this one would leave a void. I knew I would miss him, the stoic giant from another world.
"I'm returning to Teyvat…" Cyno stated, his voice as serious as ever. "We've caused enough trouble in your world. And I must take him to Sumeru for his trial."
A sudden impulse seized me, a desire to offer a piece of myself before he vanished once more. "Hey… I wanted you to know my real name. I don't mind you calling me Mao…" I confessed, the words tumbling out in a rush. Mao wasn't my true name, not really. It was a placeholder, a name I'd adopted from a time when my name was lost in Teyvat.
Taking a deep breath, I revealed the truth. "My real name is (Name)."
"(Name)?" he repeated, the sound barely audible. He didn't turn, didn't break his stride as he continued his departure. But I distinctly heard him murmur, a soft whisper carried on the wind, "(Name)… That's a beautiful name."
With a heavy heart, I turned my back on the woods and made my way back to the high school party, a chaotic scene of music and laughter that felt jarringly out of sync with the events I'd just witnessed. Lottie and Jamie, ever the concerned friends, fussed over my appearance – the torn dress, the disheveled hair, the bare feet that had carried me through the forest. My elderly parents, their faces etched with worry, were frantic with concern. No one suspected the truth, the extraordinary reality that giants from another world had clashed in our quiet town, their battleground hidden just beyond the edge of normalcy. I reassured them, offering a smile and a simple, "I'm fine." To them, everyone was safe, oblivious to the tremors that continued to shake the ground, the echoes of a battle fought in a realm beyond their comprehension.
They say lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, but in my case, it had. I had met Cyno twice, our paths crossing in this strange, unexpected way. And perhaps, just perhaps, fate would conspire to bring us together a third time, our destinies intertwined in ways I couldn't yet imagine.
