The Divine Creator
Part 4 Part 5 (You’re here!)
The question struck like a blade. Ophiuchus. The serpent-bearer. A symbol of healing and poison, of a god who carried the weight of both. (Name)’s fingers twitched. Had he ever truly had a favorite? Or had his children simply assigned him one, another chain to bind him to their myths?
To remind him of his miserable existence.
"Legends say it represents duality," (Name) said carefully. "Life and death. Mercy and judgment."
Zhongli hummed. "An astute answer. Too astute, for a passing stranger." His thumb traced the rim of his teacup, a gesture (Name) recognized. The Archon was weighing his words, measuring each syllable against millennia of memory. "You speak of the Assembly’s final hours as if you breathed its air. You debate the texture of Rex Lapis’s scales with the certainty of a sculptor. Who are you?"
The weight of that gaze was unbearable. (Name) fought the urge to step back. He didn’t know who he was, but he knew what he’d seen and lived. He’d seen his first children raise their eave against him for giving his mercy to humans as equally as he gave it to them. He has kneeled in a temple as devotees pressed bloodied hands to his robes. He’s been a boy who’d loved a world that now hunted him.
"Just a scholar with a good memory," he lied.
Zhongli’s eyes darkened. "Scholars cite texts. You speak as one who witnessed."
The air thickened. "Why does it matter? Liyue has moved on from gods. Isn’t that what you wanted Morax?"
IDIOT!
A flicker of surprise. Then, almost imperceptibly, Zhongli’s posture shifted. "So you do know me," he said softly. "Not as a scholar would. As an equal."
(Name)'s pulse roared in his ears. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!
Zhongli reached into his sleeve and placed a single object on the table. A die, carved from noctilucous jade.
(Name) froze. His own creation, a game piece from his second life, gifted to a young Morax after a battle. No one should have this.
Zhongli, ever so watchful, noticed. He hummed. “Since you know me, and Teyvat seems to cling to you, you’ll know what this is. Right, your grace?”
(Name)’s breath hitched as he took a step back. There’s no point in hiding anymore, the god before him saw right through him. “If you have the slightest respect and love for me, you’ll respect my wishes on being alone.”
“Oh, but that can hardly be. We’ve been terribly terrified with your sudden disappearance. Shouldn’t it be fair that you make it up?” Zhongli interrupted and walked around (Name), now sure of the man’s identity.
(Name) stood planted where he was. Hoping, wishing for someone, anything to save him… but who is there even to wish to for him? No one would save him. He forced himself to remain firm. “Is this really how you speak to your creator?”
Zhongli smiled. “Why did your grace not go immediately to announce your arrival? We would’ve given you the best food and a bed with the best sheets.” He asked but didn’t get closer to (Name), the why the man’s hand twitched made him believe he preferred distance.
“I don’t see the need to inform my every move to the world.”
“Your safe-“
“My safety shouldn’t be constantly in eye, no creature in Teyvat can hurt me. I’m perfectly safe.” (Name) said firmly.
“Then why are you trembling?” Zhongli answered back with judging eyes. “If not even death can touch you here, why are you trembling like a leaf?” He inched closer.
(Name) froze and gagged on his own words, was he so used to feeling so weak that he could no longer even feel when he acted like if? He hadn’t noticed the way his fists clenched not from rage but from fear, how his knees buckled ever so slightly not from cold but from terror… since when had he become so easily shaken to the point of not even being able to hide it?
“I-I… I’m cold.” Oh, how pathetic.
Zhongli must’ve thought it too by the expression he made. “I was unaware your grace could feel the low temperatures of the night.” Zhongli mumbled and (Name) out of eternal stupidity or shame ran on the opposite direction. His actions were stupid and he knew it, his current form couldn’t outrun a dog, much less a God.
So he wasn’t surprised when he felt a hand firmly grabbing his, not allowing him to jump into the unforgiving bodies of water to everyone but him. (Name) did not care for the faces the humans passing them made, he needed to get away. Yet, just like stone, Zhongli was unmoving, untroubled.
Curse this damn body.
“I didn’t expect our God to be do weak as of now, but fear not. I’ll restore you to yourself.” The brown haired god said. “So don’t worry your grace.”
I’m so sorry it’s short, I’m just not motivated with school and all 😩😭








