New World (Genshin Impact x OC)

Chapter 48: Into the Midnight Sun

Opening 5

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A week has passed since the peace talks between Sara and Kokomi, as Lucius decided to stay around Watatsumi as per Kokomi's request.

In that time, the two has gotten closer and closer, with rumours swirling around the island about the two being in a relationship, causing slight embarrassment for the two.

But right now, Lucius and Paimon are at Mouun Shrine just East of Sangonomiya Shrine, having decided to explore more of the island. There, they come across a shrine maiden, who gestures for them to come over.

Shrine Maiden: Hello, esteemed Captain and good friend of the Divine Priestess. My name is Tsuyuko, and I am a shrine maiden at the Sangonomiya Shrine. Are you here to help?

Lucius: Uh, help? What do you mean?

Tsuyuko: Haha, sorry for being rude... t's just that I made a wish previously, and according to the divination result, there will always be help on the way whenever I am troubled or having a hard time. So you, O helpful guests, must be here to assist me, right?

Lucius: Well, I got nothing better to do, so sure.

Tsuyuko: Thank you so much, then. Let me give you the backstory. The deep pool directly across from the Sangonomiya Shrine is the entrance to Enkanomiya. Legend has it that this place was the origin of the Watatsumi people.

Tsuyuko: In days of old, the beauties of Watatsumi were renowned for their soft skin, which would conceal seven types of skin blemish... This, of course, being mostly a consequence of our ancestors' lack of sunlight in the depths of Enkanomiya...

Lucius: Uh, about the reason you need help...

Tsuyuko: Oh, sorry. In the past, I would usually give guided tours to people coming to Watatsumi Island, so I just... Well. In order to commemorate Watatsumi Omikami and our ancestors, we traditionally bring tributes that we let sink down towards Enkanomiya.

Tsuyuko: It has been said, and it is recorded in our ancient writings, that our ancestors from Byakuyakoku relied on the meager light of the Dainichi Mikoshi in order to survive the sharpened claws of the Dragonheir of the Depths.

Tsuyuko: That was up until a few thousand years ago, when the Watatsumi Omikami came and defeated the Dragonheir of the Depths and led us back to dry land. That was where we would build our new home on Watatsumi Island — Sangonomiya. And the underwater nation of Byakuyakoku was henceforth named Enkanomiya, in juxtaposition to our new homeland Sangonomiya, which stood high above the ocean surface.

Tsuyuko: Of course, legends are just legends. For example, the Shogun's Army rallies itself around the god-subduing legends from Narukami. The theme of sacrifice and remembrance serves a similar purpose for us. It is a weapon we arm ourselves with as we battle to protect what is ours.

Paimon: Is this something a shrine maiden should be saying...?

Tsuyuko: It's true that shrine maidens shouldn't be speaking like this, but I am only human. I believe that we should look at history and folklore in a critical light. I apologize, I digressed again... In short, Watatsumi Island's "Holy Soil" problem is acting up again.

Lucius: "Holy Soil"...What is that?

Tsuyuko: Just as the human heart runs deep and water flows downhill, the spirit of Watatsumi Island constantly feels the call of Enkanomiya, down in the depths. As a result, our soil is slowly bleaching, becoming Holy Soil. If this continues, Watatsumi Island will one day become a desert as pale as the moonlight.